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4d ago

EU Weighs Carcinogen Label for Ethanol in Disinfectants After ECHA Advice

An ECHA committee will examine the internal recommendation in late November before any proposal is sent to the European Commission.

A medical team administers hand sanitiser to a resident of the Basque town of Azpeitia, Spain.
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Hand Sanitizer May Raise Cancer Risk, Experts Warn as Ban Considered

Overview

  • An October 10 working‑group paper inside ECHA flagged ethanol as potentially carcinogenic and a reproductive hazard and suggested substituting it in cleaning and disinfectant products.
  • ECHA said ethanol could still be authorised for specific biocidal uses if exposure is judged safe or if no suitable alternatives are available, and it stressed that no decision has been made.
  • The review is being conducted under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation, following a public consultation that closed on April 30 on uses and possible substitutes.
  • Most cited cancer risk evidence comes from studies of alcoholic beverage consumption rather than typical topical or inhalation exposure from sanitisers, while WHO continues to list ethanol and isopropanol as safe for hand hygiene.
  • Hospitals and industry groups warn that broad restrictions could disrupt infection prevention, noting that alternatives may pose greater toxicity or be difficult to scale for widespread use.