A new report is warning Americans to avoid a list of hand sanitizers contaminated with benzene, a toxic chemical known to cause cancer.
Valisure, an online pharmacy based in New Haven, Connecticut, examined 260 bottles of hand sanitizers from 168 brands and found that 17% contained detectable levels of benzene.
Benzene, like asbestos, is a known human carcinogen. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines benzene as a carcinogen and lists “inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and / or eye contact” as routes of exposure.
The genome research arm of the National Institutes of Health states that “a carcinogen is a specific chemical or physical agent that has the ability to cause cancer”.
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The Valisure test found 44 batches that contained the highest level of benzene at 16.1 parts per million (ppm). This is more than eight times the provisional limit allowed by the Food and Drug Administration of 2 ppm for benzene in hand sanitizers only.
“Consumer use of hand sanitizers increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic and, while it is important for consumers to have access to products that help ensure personal and public safety, it is of the utmost importance that consumers have access to products that are safe and not contaminated, “said David Light, founder and CEO of Valisure.
Valisure, which claims to be “the industry leader in proactively identifying widespread drug quality problems,” regularly tests pharmaceutical products. CEO Light expressed concern about his company’s latest findings.
“The detection of hand sanitizer products that contain high levels of benzene is of significant concern, as these products are potentially being used in large volumes several times a day,” said Light, “We urge the FDA and manufacturers to act quickly to remove contaminated batches from the market. It is also important for consumers to understand that uncontaminated hand sanitizer products are available and should continue to be used. “
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Valisure said that these hand sanitizer brands have the highest levels of benzene:
1. Artnaturals
2. Scentsational Soaps & Candles Inc.
3. Huangjisoo
4. TrueWash
5. The Creme Shop
6. Star Wars Mandalorian
7. Body Prescriptions
8. Born Basic
9. Beauty concepts
10. PureLogic
11. Miami Carry On
12. Natural Wunderz
13. clean-protect-sanitize
14. Puretize
15. Hand Clean 100
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To avoid COVID-19, experts say choose one that contains mostly alcohol and few other ingredients.
The CDC says that hand sanitizers should contain at least 60% ethyl alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol. Other approved ingredients may include sterile distilled water, hydrogen peroxide and glycerin, according to the FDA.
Consumers should only use hand sanitizer when they cannot wash their hands with soap and water, said Barun Mathema, an infectious disease researcher at Columbia University. Washing your hands is best to remove more germs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.