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UPDATED: 4:38 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Teachers are concerned that the hand sanitizer provided by the School District of Philadelphia might be less effective against the coronavirus because it's not alcohol-based.


The Centers for Disease Control recommends alcohol-based products to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The school district, though, says the sanitizer it has purchased, foamyiQ Lemon Blossom from Spartan Chemical Products, is equally effective.

School district spokeswoman Monica Lewis says several years ago the district stopped using alcohol-based sanitizers because they could be flammable, or they could be ingested by students.

"The School District of Philadelphia did move away from using alcohol-based products in our schools. The products that we purchased and delivered to schools last week are an effective alternative," Lewis said.

The active ingredient of FoamyiQ Lemon Blossom is benzalkonium chloride, not alcohol.

Hillary Linardopoulos, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' legislative representative, met Wednesday with district leaders. She says an effective hand sanitizer is essential, because teachers can't always leave to wash their hands.

"Throughout the day there are a number of instances where it's simply not possible. A teacher can't leave their classroom to wash their hands at any given moment when they may have come into contact with germs. They can'lt just leave their classroom," Linardopoulos said.

Lewis says supplying hand sanitizer is part of the district's overall effort, which includes wiping down frequently-touched items such as door knobs.

The district confirmed that a teacher at a Philadelphia high school is self-isolating, after a relative tested positive for coronavirus.

District officials wouldn't confirm the school, but reports on social media say the teacher is from Phillip Randolph Technical High School.

Lewis added in a statement: "At this time, the School District of Philadelphia does NOT have any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in its schools or offices."