A National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) ordered a ban on sales of 70% liquid alcohol. Sales were prohibited in supermarkets and pharmacies in Brazilian territory. The measure came into effect on Tuesday the 30th.
The reason for the change is the record of the great number of accidents caused by high flammability.
The 70% alcohol ban
The previous authorization for the sale of the product, based on resolution RDC 766/2022, took place in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic. However, the validity period expired in December last year, but 120 products were released for “stock depletion purposes”.
According to Anvisa, alcohol is highly flammable and had already been banned in 2002, due to the large number of accidents recorded. The ban aims to reduce this risk.
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Gel alcohol (up to 500g) and 46% liquid alcohol are authorized and will continue to be sold.
Alternatives to 70% liquid alcohol for surfaces
Previously, Anvisa issued a note with alternatives to the use of 70% alcohol. The list of recommended products for disinfecting objects and surfaces are:
- 0.5% sodium hypochlorite;
- Bleach containing hypochlorite (sodium, calcium) at 2-3.9%;
- Povidone-iodine (1%);
- Hydrogen peroxide 0.5%;
- Peracetic acid 0.5%;
- Ammonium quaternaries such as 0.05% benzalkonium chloride;
- Phenolic compounds; It is
- General purpose disinfectants with action against viruses.
To clean your hands, it is recommended to wash with soap and water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), with less than 10 seconds of washing, germs still remain. This way, it should take 20 to 30 seconds to clean.
On the other hand, the decision maintains the use of alcohol at 70% by healthcare professionals in hospital environments.
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Questioned by the Federal Pharmacy Council (CFF), Anvisa clarified that “these provisions had already been included in regulations since 2002, and healthcare professionals will continue to have access to the product”.
