Hand sanitizers and pregnancy: what you really need to know

During pregnancy, you naturally become more attentive to anything that could affect your health and your baby's. That is why many expectant mothers wonder about the safety of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially since Health Canada issued warnings about certain products made with technical-grade alcohol. Here is what you need to understand in order to make informed, safe choices.

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Understanding the types of alcohol used

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Before they go on the market, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have to meet Health Canada's standards in order to limit impurities, in particular acetaldehyde. There are two types of ethanol: pharmaceutical/food-grade alcohol (≤10 ppm of impurities) and technical-grade alcohol, whose levels can range from 11 to 400 ppm.

Before the pandemic, only pharmaceutical-grade alcohol was authorized. But because of shortages, Health Canada temporarily allowed the use of technical-grade alcohol, a measure that was in effect until December 31, 2020. In June, the Department issued a warning for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children, because of the higher levels of impurities in these products.

The precise risks tied to medium- or long-term exposure are not known: there are not enough studies to determine the potential effects on pregnancy, the fetus or breastfeeding. Current recommendations are therefore based on caution.

Health Canada suggests using soap and water whenever possible, and choosing a sanitizer that does not contain technical-grade alcohol. To find a safe product, look for the NPN (Natural Product Number) and the absence of any warnings for pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you have any doubts, a pharmacist can recommend an option that meets Canadian standards.

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The risks involved

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To date, no data clearly describes the medium- or long-term risks tied to the use of hand sanitizers containing impurities in pregnant women, breastfeeding women, fetuses or young children. Health authorities simply do not yet have enough studies to determine whether these products could be more harmful for certain vulnerable groups.

Health Canada's warning is therefore part of a preventive approach: better safe than sorry, and when in doubt, go without.

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Health Canada's warnings

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Health Canada's warnings about sanitizers containing technical-grade alcohol rest on several precautions, even though the exact reasons are not yet fully explained. In particular, it is recommended not to inhale these products, not to apply them to damaged skin and to avoid them during pregnancy or breastfeeding. For now, no data makes it possible to specify the potential risks behind these warnings, for lack of sufficient studies.

To choose a safe product, Health Canada recommends soap and water first. When that is not possible, here are the criteria to follow:

1. Avoid any product containing technical-grade ethanol, which is clearly indicated on the label.
2. Look for the NPN (Natural Product Number) and make sure there is no warning aimed at pregnant or breastfeeding women.
3. Ask a pharmacist for advice to choose a sanitizer that meets Canadian standards, and use it when you are out and about.

Even though the available information remains limited, these points add useful detail to Health Canada's recent recommendations.

In short, sanitizers containing technical-grade alcohol have not been shown to be dangerous, but there is not enough data to confirm that they are safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. By choosing soap and water, or a product that meets Canadian standards, you are making a simple, safe choice for you and your baby.

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To keep reading on the same topic, here are a few articles:

• Toxoplasmosis
• COVID-19: pregnant and breastfeeding women
• The flu and pregnancy

And here are a few videos related to the topic:

• Infertility
• Prematurity
• Clearing a newborn's airways

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