EU Considers Ethanol Ban in Hand Sanitizers Due to Cancer Risk Concerns: What You Need to Know

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The European Union is evaluating a potential ban on ethanol, a common ingredient in hand sanitizers, due to concerns about its classification as a carcinogenic substance, according to a Tuesday report from the Financial Times.

On October 10, a working group within the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued an internal recommendation identifying ethanol as a toxic substance that potentially increases cancer risk and may cause pregnancy complications. The recommendation suggested ethanol should be replaced in cleaning products and other applications.

The ECHA's Biocidal Products Committee has scheduled meetings from November 25 to November 28 to discuss this matter further.

According to the Financial Times report, the regulatory body indicated that if its expert committee "concludes that ethanol is carcinogenic," it would recommend substitution of the substance. The ultimate decision on this matter will rest with the European Commission.

Reuters reached out to the European Chemicals Agency for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.

In its communication with the Financial Times, the agency clarified that ethanol might "still be approved for the intended biocidal uses, if these are considered safe in the light of expected exposure levels or no alternatives are found," emphasizing that no definitive decision has been reached at this point.

It's worth noting that the World Health Organization currently classifies both ethanol and isopropanol as safe substances for hand hygiene purposes.