Hand Sanitizers-Avoid the Poison

Protect But Don’t Harm

This article is excepted from the article Hand Sanitizers – What’s Behind the Bubbles?, Published in the National Association of Environmental Medicine (NAEM) January 2021. My thanks to Dr. Michelle Perro from GMO Science, and Dr. Anne Marie Fine. Dr. Perro is on the advisory board for NAEM and Dr. Fine sit on the NAEM board.

In 2020 hand sanitizers went from occasional use to a must-have-handy item in bag and car. While recent studies show that the COVID-19 virus is airborne and does not linger on surfaces, our culture has already shifted to focus on hygiene. That’s not all bad, as long as you stay clean in a healthy manner. With everyday use of hand sanitizers, the importance of scrutinizing ingredients and considering environmental exposures is important.

These are the toxic compounds found in some hand sanitizers:

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs or quats). Quats are some of the most commonly used disinfectants in the food industry. They have many different chemical names all of which include chloride (e.g. Benzalkonium chloride). They are associated in humans with asthma and dermatitis, which are driven by quat-induced inflammatory interleukins. They have also been shown to alter immunity and decrease mitochondrial function, putting a consumer in a more vulnerable health position.

Per- or poly-fluorinated substances (PFASs). PFASs are persistent in the environment to the extent that they have been nicknamed the Forever Chemicals. Besides hand sanitizers, products that contain PFAS include nonstick cookware, food wrappers, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, carpets, firefighting foams and more. Exposure to PFASs are linked to testicular cancer, liver disease, thyroid disease, infertility and hypertension. Toxicologists have suggested that exposure to PFAS may increase a person’s likelihood of developing severe COVID-19. A number of studies in the scientific literature have now linked elevated PFAS levels with immune system suppression, as well as decreased response to vaccines. If you have not had a chance to see the film, The Devil We Know, please watch it here. 

Phthalates. One of the places phthalates are found are in fragrances, as a fragrance fixative. They are listed on the labels of hand sanitizers and other personal care products as fragrance or parfum. Health effects of phthalates are extensive and include thyroid disruption, decreased testosterone, and are associated with diabetes, obesity, breast cancer, testicular dysgenesis, autistic traits in males, asthma, allergies and eczema.

Parabens. Parabens are another common personal care product ingredient found in many hand sanitizers and will be listed on the label. Diseases associated with paraben exposure include infertility, preterm births, decreased weight at birth and cancer.

§  Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is not found in hand sanitizers but exposure to the two often occurs at the same time. BPA is found in the receipts produced by the thermal printers used by most stores and restaurants. It is not uncommon to sanitize your hands when picking up to-go orders with the receipt stapled to the bag or after touching a receipt at the store. When someone uses hand sanitizers before touching a thermal receipt, the absorption of BPA is up to 100 x higher.

Safer Alternatives

The list of safer choices includes soap and water, hydrogen peroxide, thymol, lactic acid, citric acid, caprylic acid and some of the essential oils (e.g., pine oil). The commonly used alcohol preparations are in themselves a non-toxic solution. However, they can cause increased absorption of other toxic substances such as BPAs. 

Here’s what you can do to protect your health:

Habits

• Whenever possible, wash your hands with soap and water instead of using a hand sanitizer.

• Do not handle receipts, particularly if you just sanitized your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• If you want to use a hand sanitizer, carry your own to avoid using unknown products at stores and events.

Read the label and don’t buy any personal products with:

• Fragrances

• Parabens

• PFASs

• Chloride

Community

• Local movements by parents to create a less toxic approach to hygiene in our schools.

• Request your local store to carry less toxic hand sanitizer options.

Resources

Made Safe 

Woman Voices for the Earth 

Beyond Pesticides