Some hand sanitizers can be dangerous for consumers as they contain a high level of benzene, a carcinogen which can be absorbed by the skin and cause leukemia and other blood cells cancers. These products are particularly harmful to children. Valisure, an independent lab, recently tested 260 hand sanitizers and found that 44 among them contained benzene and among these 44, 21 contained a level of benzene that was above the 2 parts per million (ppm) allowed in liquid sanitizers by the FDA. These products are especially dangerous to children.
The Top 5 most dangerous hand sanitizers were:
1. Artnaturals hand sanitizer, SCENT FREE NATURAL ELEMENTS + CLEANSING FORMULA 8 fl oz (236 ml), produced in China and distributed by artnaturals ® ,Gardena, CA 90248
This product contains an average 16.1 ppm of benzene.
2. SS LAVENDER & HERBS scented sanitizer ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC 70% 3.38 FL. OZ. (100 mL), produced in the US and distributed by Scentsational Soaps and Candles, Inc. Venice, FL 34292 , Scentsational-Products.com.
This product contains an average 13.8 ppm of benzene. Additionally this product is scented which is goes against the FDA guidelines not to add color or flavor to hand sanitizing products.
3. Huangjisoo HAND SANITIZER, GEL TYPE HAND CLEANSER, 62% ETHANOL, 91% ORGANIC, 500ml/16.9 FL.OZ produced and distributed by Korean manufacturer Newfeel Co., Ltd. Incheon, Korea.
This hand sanitizer contains an 11.4 ppm of benzene.
4. TrueWash Instant Hand Sanitizer Natural 16 fl oz – (500 ml), produced in China and distributed by : Supply ChainSources LLC
This product contains an average level of cancer causing benzene of 6.2 ppm
5. The Crème Shop, Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, Peppermint Scented Infused with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E d, produced in Korea and distributed by The Creme Shop USA
This product contains an average 4.6 ppm of benzene
Some products appealing directly to children, STARWARS MANDALORIAN HAND SANITZER in blue and green, produced in China and distributed by © Best Brands Consumer are especially dangerous. These hand sanitizers contain an average of 3.9 ppm of benzene for the blue version and 3.8 ppm of benzene for the green version. Additionally these products go against the recommendation of the FDA not to add colors to hand sanitizers.
The complete list of the 21 dangerous hand sanitizers can be found here and a file with the related pictures for reference can be found here.
Picture source: Valisure Citizen Petition
