What advice do you have in light of the reports that some countries are considering banning ethanol due to theoretical harmful effects caused by inhalation?
On the basis of current evidence, both ethanol and isopropanol are safe to use for hand hygiene. The World Alliance for Patient Safety through its Global Patient Safety Challenge programme has established a Task Force of experts to address this issue and to research and verify the potential consequences of ethanol. The Guidelines are being pilot-tested to determine the efficiency of recommendations. The Task Force for investigating the potential harm of ethanol is compiling data on this. Some specific studies have looked at inhalation of ethanol and this has resulted in some countries reviewing its use. However, for hand hygiene, due to the limited time of exposure alcohol is not absorbed in measurable quantities. . In the unlikely event that the Task Force finds ethanol use should be limited, then this formulation will not be recommended by the WHO. The Guidelines will be finalized before the end of 2008.
