PUSA: Decontamination Tunnel developed by ICAR

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute has developed PUSA decontamination tunnel. It was inaugurated on April 16, 2020 by the Union Minister Shri Kailash Choudhary.

About the Tunnel

The Tunnel includes foot operated water dispenser and soap. The tunnel also provides fogging for about 20 seconds. Also, it sources Quaternary Ammonium Compounds that are used at concentration of 0.045%. The concentration amount has been fixed as recommended by the Health department.

Quaternary Ammonium compounds

These are compounds are often used as surfactants, disinfectant, antistatic agents or fabric softener. They also have antimicrobial activity. They are cationic detergents that are commonly used to remove organic materials. They are commonly used in food service industries as sanitizing agents. They are effective till 100 degree Celsius.

They work against fungi, viruses and amoeba by disrupting their cell membranes.

ICAR

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research coordinates agricultural research and education. In 2006, the institute developed vaccine for bird flu. Also, the ICAR scientists were the first to sequence pigeon pea genome.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020