(Brussels) The European Union is considering classifying ethanol, the main active ingredient in alcohol-based hand sanitizers, as a hazardous substance that increases the risk of cancer. If implemented, this move would effectively ban many hand sanitizers and cleaning agents commonly used in hospitals.
Since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has classified ethanol and isopropanol as safe for use in hand sanitizers. However, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday (October 21) that a European Chemicals Agency (EHCA) working group issued an internal recommendation on October 10 to classify ethanol as a toxic substance that increases the risk of cancer and pregnancy complications, and to remove it from various cleaning and disinfectant products and replace it with other ingredients.
The EHCA's Biocides Committee will meet from November 25 to 28 to decide whether to declare ethanol harmful, but the final decision will rest with the European Commission.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) said that if the experts conclude that ethanol is carcinogenic, it would recommend replacing it with other ingredients. However, if the expected exposure levels are deemed safe or if no alternatives can be found, it might still approve ethanol for its intended sterilization purpose.
Medical professionals have already warned of the potential consequences of banning ethanol. Peters, a Geneva University scholar and president of Clean Hospitals, an organization promoting clean healthcare environments, said: "Hospitals will be significantly affected... Healthcare-associated infections kill more people worldwide each year than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined. Maintaining good hand hygiene, especially using alcohol-based hand rub, prevents 16 million infections worldwide each year."
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She also pointed out that ethanol alternatives, such as isopropyl alcohol, are more toxic, while repeated handwashing with soap is time-consuming and can damage the skin. Studies have shown that without disinfectant, nurses would have to spend 30 minutes washing their hands for every hour of surgery.
Peters noted that another benefit of ethanol is that it "can be made from almost anything," making it easy to increase production during a pandemic when disinfectant is urgently needed.
