Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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A Study on the Safety of Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers

알코올을 주성분으로 하는 손소독제의 안전성 연구

  • Sun-Ok Jung (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) ;
  • Chun-Yeong Lee (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) ;
  • Hoe-Jin Ryu (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) ;
  • Hee-Jin Choi (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) ;
  • Ji-Young Kim (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) ;
  • Chae-Man Choi (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) ;
  • In-Sook Hwang (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment) ;
  • Yong-Seung Shin (Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment)
  • 정선옥 (서울특별시보건환경연구원) ;
  • 이춘영 (서울특별시보건환경연구원) ;
  • 류회진 (서울특별시보건환경연구원) ;
  • 최희진 (서울특별시보건환경연구원) ;
  • 김지영 (서울특별시보건환경연구원) ;
  • 최채만 (서울특별시보건환경연구원) ;
  • 황인숙 (서울특별시보건환경연구원) ;
  • 신용승 (서울특별시보건환경연구원)
  • Received : 2022.12.26
  • Accepted : 2023.02.21
  • Published : 2023.03.31
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Abstract

Objectives: In this study, the safety of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) for quasi-drugs and cosmetics was investigated by analyzing the ethanol content, which is an active ingredient with a sterilizing effect, and methanol, which is toxic. Methods: Forty-one ABHSs were purchased at large supermarkets and online stores. Ethanol quantification was performed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, and methanol quantification was performed by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The ethanol content of ABHS in quasi-drugs was 49.6-67.8%, which was suitable for standard manufacturing procedures for external disinfectants, and the ethanol content of ABHS in cosmetics was 9.1-61.3%. The methanol content of ABHS in quasi-drugs ranged from not detected(N.D.)-131.8 ppm, which was suitable for the methanol detection standard of ethanol raw materials in the Korean Pharmacopoeia. The methanol content of ABHS in cosmetics was 23.4-859.7 ppm, which was suitable for the detection limit of methanol in cosmetics. Conclusions: The ethanol and methanol content of ABHS was judged to be safe. When selecting an ABHS to be used for sterilization, it seems necessary to check the content of ethanol, an active ingredient, and use it according to its intended purpose.

Keywords

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