Huntington Beach, CA, November 17th, 2021
Last month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced it had tested a scent free hand sanitizer and found unacceptable levels of benzene, acetaldehyde and acetal contaminants. The agency urges consumers not to use this contaminated product distributed by a company in Southern California and has added hand sanitizer products from the brand to the extensive FDA list of hand sanitizers consumers should not use.
The FDA statement warns:
Benzene may cause certain types of cancer in humans. Animal studies show acetaldehyde may cause cancer in humans and may cause serious illness or death. Acetal can irritate the upper respiratory tract, eyes and skin. While the exact risk from using hand sanitizer containing benzene, acetaldehyde or acetal is unknown, FDA recommends consumers do not use products contaminated with unacceptable levels of benzene, acetaldehyde or acetal.
Consumers who have products on the FDA’s list of hand sanitizers should immediately stop using the product and dispose of it, ideally in a hazardous waste container. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethanol (also referred to as ethyl alcohol).
“Hand sanitizers should not be made with methanol, 1-propanol, benzene, acetaldehyde or acetal due to potential harm they could cause consumers,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The number of hand sanitizer products the FDA has found with these chemicals and other problems is substantial, many of which were imported products. At LA Testing, our consumer product scientists assist manufacturers, importers, retailers, public health professionals and the public identify potential chemical hazards and microbial contaminants. With multiple laboratories in California, LA Testing’s services can help to prevent costly product recalls.”
To learn more about this or other consumer product testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.