The European Union is weighing whether to classify ethanol — a key ingredient in most hand sanitisers and cleaning products — as a potentially dangerous substance linked to cancer and pregnancy complications.

According to a Financial Times report on Tuesday, an internal working group within the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recommended on October 10 that ethanol be listed as toxic, citing possible links to cancer risks.

The recommendation has sparked debate among health experts and industry groups, as ethanol remains one of the most widely used disinfectants worldwide.

The ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee is expected to meet between November 25 and 28 to review the findings. If the committee concludes that ethanol is carcinogenic, it may recommend substituting the substance in cleaning and disinfectant products. The final decision, however, would rest with the European Commission.

The ECHA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but told the Financial Times that no decision had yet been made. The agency noted that ethanol could still be approved for use in biocidal products if exposure levels are deemed safe or if suitable alternatives are unavailable.

The World Health Organization (WHO), meanwhile, continues to classify ethanol-based hand sanitisers as safe and effective for hand hygiene — a position that guided global health practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Any move to restrict ethanol could have major implications for manufacturers of disinfectants, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products across Europe, where ethanol-based formulations dominate the market.

At least 14 children have died in India after consuming a contaminated cough syrup, prompting multiple state bans and a nationwide investigation into the pharmaceutical manufacturer responsible.

According to health officials, the deaths occurred across three states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu — with Madhya Pradesh reporting 11 fatalities.

Preliminary tests by India’s drug regulator found dangerous levels of toxic chemicals, believed to include diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol, substances often associated with previous mass poisonings linked to poor-quality medicines.

Authorities have filed criminal charges against the company that produced the syrup, reportedly named Coldrif, citing adulteration and violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

A doctor alleged to have prescribed the syrup has also been detained as part of the investigation.

India’s Ministry of Health has ordered an immediate suspension of the product’s sale and distribution while samples are being tested at central laboratories. Officials said they are working to identify whether the tainted batch was distributed to other parts of the country or exported.

The tragedy has reignited concerns over India’s pharmaceutical safety standards.

Over the past three years, Indian-made cough syrups have been linked to child deaths in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, leading to international scrutiny of the country’s drug manufacturing practices.

Health experts have called for stricter enforcement and transparent testing to prevent similar incidents, warning that weak oversight continues to endanger lives, particularly in low-income regions where counterfeit or substandard medicines often circulate unchecked.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions are emerging as a hidden epidemic in Afghanistan, putting severe pressure on the country’s fragile health system.

According to a new report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung conditions already account for 43% of deaths nationwide – a figure expected to rise above 60% by 2030, with women disproportionately affected.

Cardiovascular disease alone claims more than 40,000 lives each year, ranking Afghanistan among countries with the highest age-adjusted death rates globally.

Cancer, particularly breast and cervical cancer, also heavily impacts Afghan women, with many patients seeking care only at advanced stages when treatment options are limited.

Mental health meanwhile is increasingly recognized as a critical yet under-addressed concern, WHO reported.

Years of conflict, displacement, and natural disasters – including recent earthquakes – have left deep psychological scars, especially among families returning from Pakistan and Iran.

One in five Afghans is estimated to live with a mental health condition, with over half of returnee families affected by anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress last year.

Thousands of families face long waiting lists for treatment, particularly in rural areas.

Hospitals and primary health care facilities frequently lack dedicated mental health services, leaving vulnerable populations without care.

For families like that of Rahimi in eastern Afghanistan, the impact is deeply personal. A recent earthquake destroyed his home, disrupted his wife’s diabetes treatment, and left his teenage daughters struggling with anxiety.

“We survive the disasters, but the illness and worry never leave,” he said.

In response, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health approved a national health policy in March 2025 prioritizing NCD prevention, cancer care, and mental health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with authorities to expand access to care, strengthen community awareness, and provide targeted support for women and children.

“Millions across Afghanistan live with chronic illness and mental health challenges, placing enormous pressure on an already fragile system,” said Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WHO Representative to Afghanistan.

“Beyond physical disease, trauma and psychological suffering continue to affect families and communities. Expanding access to care for both NCDs and mental health is a shared responsibility for WHO, health authorities, and donors.”