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

A new report is warning Americans to keep away from a listing of hand sanitizers which can be contaminated with benzene, a poisonous chemical identified to trigger cancer.

Valisure, a New Haven, Connecticut-based on-line pharmacy, examined 260 bottles of hand sanitizers from 168 manufacturers and found 17% contained detectable ranges of benzene.

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

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) outline benzene as a carcinogen, and lists “inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact” as routes of publicity.

The National Institutes of Health’s genome research arm states a “carcinogen is a specific chemical or physical agent that has the ability to cause cancer.” 

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Valisure’s testing found 44 batches that contained the very best degree of benzene at 16.1 elements per million (ppm). That is greater than eight instances the Food and Drug Administration’s permitted interim limit of 2 ppm for benzene solely in hand sanitizers.

“Consumer use of hand sanitizers has increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic and while it is important that consumers have access to products that help ensure personal and public safety, it is of utmost importance that consumers have access to products that are safe and not contaminated,” said David Light, founder and chief government officer of Valisure.

Valisure, which claims to be “the industry leader in proactively identifying pervasive drug quality problems” frequently assessments pharmaceutical merchandise.

Light expressed concern for his firm’s newest 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,” stated 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.”

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Valisure stated these hand sanitizer brands have the very best ranges 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 chase away COVID-19, consultants say choose one which accommodates largely alcohol, and has few different components.

The CDC says hand sanitizers needs to be at the least 60% ethyl alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol. Other accredited components could embrace sterile distilled water, hydrogen peroxide and glycerin, in accordance to the FDA.

Consumers ought to solely use hand sanitizer after they can’t wash their arms with cleaning soap and water, stated Barun Mathema, an infectious illness researcher at Columbia University. Hand washing is best at eradicating extra germs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.