Ethyl Alcohol: Safe Hand Sanitizer Ingredient?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned 28 ingredients from being used in hand sanitizers, but ethyl alcohol, the most common ingredient in hand sanitizers, is still under investigation. The FDA wants to ensure that hand sanitizers are safe and effective for regular use by consumers. While the ingestion of ethyl alcohol in alcoholic beverages has been linked to carcinogenic properties, there is currently insufficient evidence to associate topical ethanol use with an increased risk of skin cancer. The CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.

Ethyl alcohol is the most common ingredient in hand sanitizers

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been investigating the safety and effectiveness of hand sanitizers, and has ruled that dozens of active ingredients cannot be used in antiseptic rubs. The FDA has banned 28 ingredients from use in hand sanitizers, but ethyl alcohol is not one of them.

While ethyl alcohol is the most common ingredient in hand sanitizers, the FDA has stated that it needs more information on this and two other active ingredients—benzalkonium chloride and isopropyl alcohol—to help verify that products with these ingredients are safe and effective for regular use by consumers. The FDA does not intend to take action at this time to remove hand sanitizers containing these three active ingredients from the market.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, there is clear evidence of the carcinogenic properties of ethyl alcohol when ingested in the form of alcoholic beverages. However, there is a lack of evidence to associate topical ethanol use with an increased risk of skin cancer. Poison control experts agree that while ethyl alcohol can cause issues similar to drinking too much alcohol when consumed in large amounts, a pet that licks a hand that has been sanitized would not ingest enough to cause harmful side effects.

The FDA is still investigating its safety

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating the safety of ethyl alcohol, the most common active ingredient in hand sanitizers. While handwashing with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of germs, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are unavailable.

The FDA has banned 28 ingredients from use in hand sanitizers, but ethyl alcohol is not one of them. The FDA has stated that it needs more data on ethyl alcohol to verify that products containing this ingredient are safe and effective for regular use by consumers. Ethyl alcohol is a primary alcohol, while isopropyl alcohol, another common ingredient in hand sanitizers, is a secondary alcohol. These two alcohols have different chemical properties and absorbency.

The safety of ethyl alcohol in hand sanitizers has been questioned due to its known carcinogenic properties when ingested in the form of alcoholic beverages. However, there is currently a lack of evidence to associate topical ethanol use with an increased risk of skin cancer. Some studies suggest that there may be industry bias in the research on topical applications, and further independent studies are recommended.

While the FDA continues its investigation, it has stated that it does not intend to take action to remove hand sanitizers containing ethyl alcohol from the market. The American Cleaning Institute, which represents the cleaning products industry, has also released a statement supporting the FDA's decision and committing to providing additional data to ensure the safety and effectiveness of ethanol and benzalkonium chloride in hand sanitizers.

It is important to note that the FDA's investigation aims to provide consumers with confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the hand sanitizers they use, especially when they do not have access to soap and water for handwashing.

Ingesting ethyl alcohol can be dangerous

While ethyl alcohol is a common ingredient in hand sanitizers, it is not meant to be ingested. Ingesting ethyl alcohol can be dangerous, and even fatal. It is a central nervous system depressant, and side effects of ingestion can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting blood, and inebriation. Ethyl alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, and can cause blackouts and even death. The lethal dose for human adults is only about 8 ounces.

The effects of ingestion are dependent on the amount of ethyl alcohol consumed, and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). As the BAC increases, so does the severity of the symptoms. At a BAC of 0.2% to 0.4%, symptoms include nausea, hypothermia, amnesia, and diplopia. A BAC of greater than 0.4% can lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Ethyl alcohol is also known as ethanol, and ethanol toxicity results from the ingestion of large amounts of ethanol, usually in the form of alcohol. Ethanol toxicity affects multiple organ systems in both the acute and chronic phases. It is a common and dangerous problem, especially among adolescents and young adults.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned certain harmful active ingredients in hand sanitizers, and is still investigating the safety of ethyl alcohol. While it is a common ingredient in hand sanitizers, the FDA wants to ensure that it is safe for regular use by consumers.

It is not known to be harmful to pets

Ethyl alcohol is the most common ingredient in hand sanitizers. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned 28 ingredients from use in hand sanitizers, the safety and effectiveness of ethyl alcohol are still under investigation. The FDA has requested additional scientific data to support the safety and effectiveness of active ingredients used in over-the-counter (OTC) consumer hand sanitizers.

Although ethyl alcohol has been linked to carcinogenic properties when ingested in the form of alcoholic beverages, there is currently insufficient evidence to associate topical ethanol use with an increased risk of skin cancer. However, the FDA acknowledges the potential for industry bias in studies of topical applications and advocates for further independent research.

Regarding its impact on pets, poison control experts agree that a pet licking a small amount of ethyl alcohol-based sanitizer from their owner's hands is unlikely to cause harm. While ethyl alcohol can cause issues similar to excessive alcohol consumption when ingested in larger amounts, the amount transferred through licking is typically insignificant.

Therefore, while the safety profile of ethyl alcohol in hand sanitizers is still under evaluation, it is not known to be harmful to pets in typical exposure scenarios.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended by the CDC

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that washing hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. However, if soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content.

The CDC's recommendation is supported by various studies. One study reported that hand sanitizers with 60% to 85% alcohol concentration killed 99.99% of microorganisms on the hand after rubbing for 25-30 seconds. Another study found that hand sanitizers with low alcohol content pose significant health risks and can be ineffective in eliminating viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.

The CDC's recommendation of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been shown to be effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2, the virus associated with COVID-19.

It is important to note that the CDC recommends following proper hand hygiene practices, which include frequent hand washing with soap and water or sanitizing hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.

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