Carcinogenic: Hand sanitizers used to combat COVID-19 found to have toxic, cancer-causing chemical

Uri Singer, a veteran Hollywood producer, comes up with a way to make hand sanitizer easily accessible and help keep cast and crew members safe as production starts up again.

Benzene, on par with asbestos, is a known human carcinogen.

Valisure, which claims to be “the industry leader in proactively identifying pervasive drug quality problems” regularly tests pharmaceutical products.

Light expressed concern for his company’s latest findings. 

“The detection of hand sanitizer products that contain high levels of benzene is cause for significant concern as these products are potentially being used in high volumes several times daily,” said Light. “We urge FDA and manufacturers to act expeditiously to remove the contaminated lots from the market. It is also important for consumers to understand that uncontaminated hand sanitizer products are available and should continue to be used.”

The CDC says hand sanitizers should be 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 can’t wash their hands with soap and water, said Barun Mathema, an infectious disease researcher at Columbia University. Hand washing is better at removing more germs.

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Category: Science

Source: Fox