The European Union is contemplating a significant shift in its regulatory stance on ethanol, potentially classifying it as a hazardous substance linked to cancer risk. This action could lead to a ban on numerous hand sanitizers and detergents used in medical settings, as reported by the Financial Times. An internal recommendation from a working group of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on October 10 indicated that ethanol is considered toxic, with noted concerns about increased cancer risks and complications during pregnancy, suggesting it should be replaced in cleaning products.
The ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee is set to convene from November 25 to November 28. If the committee determines that ethanol is carcinogenic, it will advise on its substitution, while final decisions will rest with the European Commission. ECHA has indicated that ethanol might still receive approval for use in biocidal applications if deemed safe based on expected exposure levels and the absence of viable alternatives, emphasizing that no definitive conclusions have been reached yet.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ethanol-based hand sanitizers played a crucial role in maintaining personal hygiene and public health, effectively eradicating viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Ethanol is widely utilized in healthcare, food production, and general cleaning solutions.
In April, the EU initiated a review of ethanol-commonly recognized as the primary component in alcoholic beverages-due to health risk concerns, specifically regarding its application as a disinfectant rather than its consumption as a drink. According to the EU’s Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), all chemicals used in disinfectants must undergo a rigorous safety assessment by ECHA. Ethanol has been highlighted because it may meet criteria for potential carcinogenic and reproductive dangers.
The EU has sought public feedback on alternative substances to ethanol, closing the consultation on April 30. However, the health risks referenced largely stem from data associated with alcohol consumption, as opposed to the use of ethanol in sanitizers. Consuming alcohol, even in moderate quantities, rapidly elevates blood ethanol levels, thereby increasing cancer risk, as documented by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It’s critical to note that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of WHO, categorizes alcoholic beverages as Group 1 carcinogens, indicating they are definitively cancer-causing. Pure ethanol has not been classified independently by IARC; the carcinogenic classification concerns alcoholic beverages consumed orally, which include additional contaminants. Nonetheless, WHO considers both ethanol and isopropanol safe for hand hygiene.
Original Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/world/story/eu-may-classify-ethanol-as-cancer-causing-threatening-hand-sanitisers-report-2805958-2025-10-21
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Publish Date: 2025-10-21 10:24:00
