Methanol and 1-Propanol Are Toxic There are many types of alcohol. Only ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol (also known as 2-propanol) are acceptable alcohols in hand sanitizer. Other types of alcohol, including methanol and 1-propanol, are not acceptable in hand sanitizer because they can be toxic to humans.
Propylene Glycol (also Propylene Oxide and Polyethylene Glycol) is on the FDA's website as a known carcinogen. It weakens skin cells and is linked to developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, and organ system toxicity.
Hand sanitizer is considered a solid and hazardous waste when it is going for disposal and in many cases when it is going for recycling.
Household bleach (chlorine as sodium hypochlorite) is active against most microorganisms, including bacterial spores and can be used as a disinfectant or sanitizer, depending on its concentration.
The vital difference between isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol is that the latter is safe for human consumption, while the former is hazardous for ingestion. However, denaturants added to ethanol in industrial disinfecting and cleaning products make it unpalatable for consumption.
70% isopropyl alcohol is by far better at killing bacteria and viruses than 99% isopropyl alcohol. As a disinfectant, 70% concentration of alcohol is the most effective at killing pathogens. Any higher or lower percentage will be less effective.
Isopropanol is an isomer of n-propanol and is approximately two-fold more toxic than ethanol due to its higher molecular weight [58].
Drinking even a small amount of hand sanitizer can cause alcohol poisoning in children. (But there is no need to be concerned if your children eat with or lick their hands after using hand sanitizer.)
Hand sanitizer is more precise at killing bacteria and most viruses, but hand washing can effectively remove all dirt, microbes and chemicals on the hands. All elements of handwashing are key—friction for removing debris, soap to emulsify dirt, chemicals and microbes and running water to remove the debris.
These are readily absorbed by the skin - and have been shown to impair thyroid function and damage our liver and muscles. Liquid soaps often have these chemicals too, by the way. Plain soap does not.
Ethylene glycol is a potent cause of acute toxicity in humans. In contrast, propylene glycol is a “generally recognized as safe” additive for foods and medications.
Although PG is generally considered safe, when used in high doses or for prolonged periods, PG toxicity can occur. Reported adverse effects from PG include central nervous system (CNS) toxicity, hyperosmolarity, hemolysis, cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, agitation, and lactic acidosis.
This is a hand sanitizer manufactured according to the Temporary Policy for Preparation of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency (CoViD-19); Guidance for Industry.
One of the key uses of Isopropyl Alcohol 91% USP grade is as a disinfectant and cleaning agent. It is commonly used to clean and disinfect surfaces, equipment, and medical instruments. It is also used as a solvent in the production of cosmetics, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals.
Skin: May cause mild skin irritation, and sensitization. Eyes: Can cause eye irritation. Inhalation: Breathing in small amounts of this material during normal handling is not likely Page 6 SAFETY DATA SHEET Isopropyl Alcohol 99% - 2670 6 to cause harmful effects.
Alcohol-based hand antiseptics mostly contain isopropanol, ethanol, n-propanol, or a mixture of these as their active ingredients. The antimicrobial activity of alcohols is attributed to their ability to denature and coagulate proteins. This causes microbes to lose their protective coatings and become non-functional.
Only two alcohols are permitted as active ingredients in alcohol-based hand sanitizers – ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol or 2-propanol).
Isopropyl alcohol, particularly in solutions between 60% and 90% alcohol with 10 – 40% purified water, is rapidly antimicrobial against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, usefulness for disinfection drops sharply.
Temperature — generally chemical sanitizers work best at temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 120°F (49°C).
Chlorine is the most commonly used chemical sanitizer agent, since it is highly effective and relatively inexpensive. Some typical chlorine compounds are liquid chlorine, hypochlorites, inorganic chloramines and organic chloramines.