Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers: Analysis for Content of Ethanol and Contaminants

Authors

  • Celina O. Ogah Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Mbang A. Owolabi Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Kenechi S. Ezugwu Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51412/psnnjp.2024.21

Keywords:

Sanitizers, Ethanol, Contaminants, GC-FID, Compliance, Safety
         Abtract Views | PDF Download: 1 / 0

Abstract

Background: Alcohol-Based hand sanitizers (ABHS) are used as hand hygiene products because of the broad-spectrum activity of ethanol (and some other alcohols) against pathogenic microorganisms. They are effective in curbing the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19 and other viral, bacterial and fungi infections but the ethanol concentration has to be within a specified range. Some ABHS may contain toxic contaminants and the most prevalent ones are methanol and acetaldehyde. There is therefore a need for routine testing of the products for the content of ethanol and contaminants to ensure effectiveness and safety.

Methods: Thirteen samples of commonly available ethanol-based hand sanitizers were sourced randomly for shops and supermarkets in the Lagos metropolis of Lagos State, Nigeria. The samples were analysed for the content of ethanol, methanol and acetaldehyde using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Values obtained were compared with label claims of the manufacturers for ethanol and with regulatory limits for the contaminants.

Results: The study reveals that 69% of the samples were within the WHO recommended range of 60- 95 % v/v of ethanol concentration. Ethanol content was not stated on the labels of two of the samples and seven samples did not have NAFDAC numbers on their labels. One of the samples was contaminated with methanol and the concentration was above regulatory limits. Acetaldehyde was not found in any of the samples.

Conclusion: Some of the alcohol-based hand sanitizers in Lagos market are sub-standard, containing ethanol in concentrations below recommended range. There is also a potential toxicity risk posed by a small percentage that contains contaminants like methanol. This indicates a need for more regulatory control of the production, distribution and sale of sanitizer products for effectiveness and public safety. 

References

Kratzel A, Todt D, V'kovski P, Steiner S, Gultom M, Thao TTN, Ebert N, Holwerda M, Steinmann J, Niemeyer D, Dijkman R, Kampf G, Drosten C, Steinmann E, Thiel V, Pfaender S (2020) Inactivation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations and alcohols. Emerging Infectious Diseases 26(7):1592-1595. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2607.200915

Golin AP, Choi D, Ghahary A (2020) Hand sanitizers: A review of ingredients, mechanisms of action, modes of delivery, and efficacy against coronaviruses. American Journal of Infection Control 48(9): 1062 - 1067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.06.182.

Jing JLJ, Yi TP, Bose RJC, McCarthy JR, Tharmalingam N, Madheswaran T (2020) Hand sanitizers: A review on formulation aspects, adverse effects, and regulations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(9): 3326.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093326

Bolon MK (2016) Hand hygiene: An update. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America 30(3): 591 – 607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idc.2016.04.007

Kampf G (2018) Efficacy of ethanol against viruses in hand disinfection. Journal of Hospital Infection 98(4): 331 - 338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2017.08.025

Erasmus V, Daha TJ, Brug H, Richardus JH, Behrendt MD, Vos MC, Beeck V. (2010) Systematic review of studies on compliance withhand hygiene guidelines in hospital care. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 31(3):283-294. https://doi.org/10.1086/650451

McDonnell G, Russell AD (2001) Antiseptics and disinfectants: Activity, action, and resistance. Clinical Microbiology Reviews; 14(1):227. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.12.1.147

Macinga DR, Schumaker DJ, Werner HP, Edmonds SL, Leslie RA, Parker AE, Arbogast JW (2014) The relative influences of product volume, delivery, format, and alcohol concentration on dry-time and efficacy of alcohol-based hand rubs. BMC Infectious Diseases 14:511. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-14-511

Greenaway RE, Ormandy K, Fellows C, Hollowood T. (2018) Impact of hand sanitizer format (gel/foam/liquid) and dose amount on its sensory properties and acceptability for improving hand hygiene compliance. Journal of Hospital Infection 100(2):195–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2018.07.011

Tse TJ, Purdy SK, Shen J, Nelson FB, Mustafa R, Wiens DJ, Reaney MJT. (2021a) Toxicology of alcohol-based hand rubs formulated with technical-grade ethanol. Toxicology Reports 8 : 785 - 792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.03.034

Onuki S, Koziel JA, Jenks WS, Cai L, Grewell D, van Leeuwen JH. (2016) Taking ethanol quality beyond fuel grade: A review. Journal of the Institute of Brewing 122(4): 588 - 598 . https://doi.org/10.1002/jib.364

CDC (2020) Hand sanitizer use out and about, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/hand- sanitizer-use (Accessed: November 6, 2023).

Brewer C, Streel E. (2020) Is alcohol in hand sanitizers absorbed through the skin or lungs? Implications for Disulfiram Treatment. Alcoholand Alcoholism 55(4):354-356. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agaa045

Maier A, Ovesen JL, Allen CL, York RG, Gadagbui BK, Kirman CR, Poet T, Quiñones- Rivera A (2015) Safety assessment for ethanol- based topical antiseptic use by healthcare workers: Evaluation of developmental toxicity potential. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 73(1):248-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.07.015

Jairoun AA, Al-Hemyari SS, Shahwan M. (2021) The pandemic of COVID-19 and its implications for the purity and authenticity of alcohol-based hand sanitizers: The health risks associated with falsified sanitizers and recommendations for regulatory and public health bodies. Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy 17(1):2050- 2051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.014

Yip L, Bixler D, Brooks DE, Clarke KR, Datta SD, Dudley S, Komatsu KK, Lind JN, Mayette A, Melgar, M, Pindyck T, Schmit KM, Seifert SA, Shirazi FM, Smolinske SC, Warrick BJ, Chang A. (2020) Serious adverse health events, including death, associated with ingesting alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing methanol - Arizona and New Mexico. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 69(32): 1070 - 1073. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6932e1

Chan GCK, Chan JCM, Szeto CC, Chow KM. (2017) Mixed isopropanol-methanol intoxication following ingestion of alcohol-based hand rub solution. Clinical Nephrology 88(10):218-220. https://doi.org/10.5414/CN109103

Health Canada (2013) Two Deaths Linked to ingestion of hand sanitizer containing methanol. Av a i l a b l e o n l i n e : http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel- avis/hc-sc/2013/36469-eng.php (accessed on October 12, 2023).

Obi A, John J, Isimi C, Oloye S, Onavbavba G, Emeje M (2022). Quality assessment of some alcohol-based hand sanitizers circulating in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. International Research Journal of Public and Environmental Health 9(2): 75-80. https://doi.org/10.15739/irjpeh.22.009

Oke MA, Bello AB, Odebisi MB, Ahmed El- Imam AM, Kazeem MO (2013). Evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of some alcohol-based hand sanitizers sold in Ilorin (North-Central Nigeria). Ife Journal of Science 15(1): 111-117. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijs/article/view/131391

Ugochukwu JI, Ugo DC, Gbadegesin OD, Nzekwe IT (2022). The Influence of Viscosity on the Antimicrobial Activity of Simple Alcoholic-Based Hand Sanitizer for Infection of Covid-19 in Nigeria. Journal of Advances in Microbiology 2 2 ( 1 2 ) , 3 5 – 4 5 .https://doi.org/10.9734/jamb/2022/v22i12691

Tse TJ, Nelson FB, Reaney MJT. (2021b) 'Analyses of commercially available alcohol- based hand rubs formulated with compliant and non-compliant ethanol. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 1 8 ( 7 ) : 3 7 6 6 . https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073766

United States Pharmacopoeia 37 (2014). Available at: https://nanopdf.com/download/611- alcohol-determination_pdf (Accessed January18, 2024). Matatiele P, Southon B, Dabula B, Marageni T, Poongavanum P, Kgarebe B (2022). Assessment of quality of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in Johannesburg area during the CoViD‐19 pandemic. Scientific Reports 12(1):4231. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08117-z

To C, Theruvathu JA (2024). Determination and quantification of acetaldehyde, acetone, and methanol in hand sanitizers using Headspace GC/MS: Effect of storage time and temperature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health;21(1): 74. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010074

Downloads

Published

2024-11-04

How to Cite

Ogah, C. O., Owolabi, M. A., & Ezugwu, K. S. (2024). Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers: Analysis for Content of Ethanol and Contaminants. The Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, 58(2), 303–311. https://doi.org/10.51412/psnnjp.2024.21

Most read articles by the same author(s)