ECHA’s carcinogenic warning on ethanol sparks nationwide concern over proposed EU ban
Bengaluru: Amid reports that the European Union is considering restrictions on ethanol-based products following carcinogenic concerns raised by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), Indian medical experts have clarified that ethanol use in the country poses no immediate health risk.
Ethanol which is widely used in hand sanitisers and fuel blending, has come under scrutiny after ECHA flagged potential cancer risks. In a report published by The New Indian Express, the International Association for Soaps, Detergent and Maintenance Products (AISE) noted that the study is based primarily on oral intake data—specifically and excessive alcohol consumption—rather than topical or environmental exposure.
“Ethanol’s carcinogenic concerns mainly arise from high or prolonged exposure,” said Dr. Srinath, an oncologist at Asha Hospitals and Research Centre. “We must review exposure levels and identify any vulnerable groups.”
The TIE report cited Dr. Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, a general physician, as saying, “Alcohol-based sanitizers are still effective and reliable. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds remains ideal.”
Cautioning that ethanol-blended fuels present a more complex case, Dr. Srinath explained, “Burning ethanol-blended fuels can increase emissions of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde—both linked to cancer. But this doesn’t mean ethanol fuels are inherently harmful. Air quality depends on the overall pollutant mix, and ethanol blends may actually reduce some other toxic emissions.”
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
