The European Union is reportedly considering banning the use of ethanol as an active ingredient in biocidal products — including hand sanitisers — due to rising concerns about potential cancer risks, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, an internal recommendation dated 10 October from a working group within the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) identified ethanol as a toxic substance linked to an increased risk of cancer and pregnancy complications, suggesting it should be replaced in cleaning and other related products.
The ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee is scheduled to convene between 25 and 27 November.
In an emailed statement to Reuters, the ECHA said it was currently assessing ethanol’s suitability for biocidal use. The agency noted that if its expert committee determined ethanol could cause cancer or adversely affect human reproduction, it would recommend substituting the substance.
The ECHA added that evaluations were ongoing and no final conclusions had yet been reached. A definitive decision will be made by the European Commission after the committee issues its scientific opinion.
The World Health Organization continues to classify both ethanol and isopropanol as safe for use in hand hygiene.
A Ukrainian-born Russian citizen has been extradited to Moscow from Dubai on suspicion of gravely injuring one of Russia's most senior intelligence of...
Iranian activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was sentenced to a new prison term of 7-1/2 years, a group supporting her said on Sunda...
Antonio Jose Seguro secured a landslide win in Portugal’s presidential runoff, defeating far-right rival Andre Ventura and becoming the country’s ...
Hong Kong’s most prominent media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday (9 February) to a total of 20 years in prison on national security charges...
U.S. Vice President JD Vance will be joined by Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg during a trip to Italy, Armenia and Azerbaijan from ...
U.S. Vice President JD Vance will be joined by Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg during a trip to Italy, Armenia and Azerbaijan from 9-11 February, underscoring Washington’s push on peace and economic connectivity in the South Caucasus.
Two adjoining residential buildings collapsed in Tripoli’s Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood on Sunday, with the death toll rising to nine as search operations continued into the night, according to Lebanese authorities.
Double world champion Max Langenhan delivered a dominant performance to win men’s luge singles gold on Sunday (8 February), breaking the track record four consecutive times as Germany extended its grip on the sport, now winning four of the past five Olympic titles.
U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent crash just seconds into the race at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised American freestyle skier Hunter Hess after the athlete said he felt conflicted about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy, sparking a public clash that highlights growing political tensions surrounding the Games.
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent crash just seconds into the race at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
Several avalanches struck northern Italy on Saturday, killing at least three people, as rescue officials warned the death toll could rise with unstable conditions persisting across the Alps.
A Japanese city near Mount Fuji has cancelled its annual cherry blossom festival, saying growing numbers of badly behaved tourists are disrupting daily life for residents.
A Florida university has become a new hotspot in a widening U.S. measles outbreak, with health officials confirming multiple infections and hospitalisations.
The World Health Organization has added the Nipah virus to its list of the world’s top 10 priority diseases, alongside COVID-19 and the Zika virus, warning that its epidemic potential highlights the global risk posed by fast-spreading outbreaks.
Belgian authorities are examining suspected cases of infants falling ill after consuming recalled Nestle baby formula, amid warnings that confirmed infections may be underestimated due to limited testing requirements.
Two Nipah infections involving health workers in India have triggered heightened screening across Southeast Asia as authorities move to prevent the high fatality virus from spreading beyond the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it regrets the United States’ decision to withdraw from the UN health agency and hopes Washington will resume active participation in the future.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment