The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is evaluating whether to classify ethanol widely used in hand-sanitisers as a carcinogenic or reproductive-toxic substance, a move that could lead to restrictions on its use in sanitising products.
Glimpse:
A working group within ECHA has flagged ethanol for potential cancer and pregnancy-complication risks when used in hygiene products. If officially classified, ethanol’s use in hand-sanitisers and other disinfectants across the World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed range may face substitution requirements.
The European Union is currently assessing whether to reclassify ethanol an active ingredient in many hand-sanitisers as a hazardous chemical with carcinogenic and reproductive-toxicity potential. An internal recommendation made by a working group on 10 October noted that ethanol might increase risks of cancer and complications during pregnancy.
The matter is set to be debated by ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee in late November. Should the committee conclude that ethanol meets the criteria for being carcinogenic, a formal recommendation will be forwarded to the European Commission, which holds the power to enact changes such as substituting ethanol in disinfectant products. However, ECHA has clarified that ethanol may still remain approved for certain uses if exposure levels are deemed safe or if no adequate alternatives exist.
The healthcare industry and hygiene-product manufacturers have raised concerns. For instance, hygiene experts say that alcohol-based hand rubs have been credited with preventing millions of infections globally and that fallback options may not be as effective or safe.
At present, both WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) hold that ethanol and isopropanol are acceptable for hand hygiene but the regulatory review in Europe signals a potentially significant shift in chemical safety standards for disinfectants
“Healthcare-associated infections kill more people globally every year than malaria, tuberculosis and Aids combined hand-hygiene, especially with alcohol-based hand rub, saves 16 million infections worldwide per year.”
By
HB Team
