Kathrine Alderman
news@greenepublishing.com
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer has been a hot commodity. When the virus first started in the US, after a few weeks it was almost impossible to find any. Now, there seems to be an abundance of hand sanitizers to meet the needs of consumers. However, some of these products might not be as safe as you think.
A few months ago the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning to the public about hand sanitizers containing a substance called methanol. Methanol, also called wood alcohol, can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and can be life-threatening when ingested. The FDA had been made aware that adults and children ingesting hand sanitizer products contaminated with methanol had led to adverse effects including blindness, hospitalizations and death.
The FDA states that methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects. The investigation of methanol in certain sanitizers is ongoing and the FDA will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.
Although anyone using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute are most at risk. Those who have used hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate treatment for a potential reversal of the toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.
While methanol is a big issue, the FDA also warns of hand sanitizers that are labeled to contain
ethanol or isopropyl alcohol but have tested positive for 1-propanol contamination. 1-propanol, not to be confused with 2 propanol/isopropanol/isopropyl alcohol, is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizer products marketed in the US and can be toxic and life-threatening when ingested. Those who have used hand sanitizers with potential methanol or 1-propanol contamination should immediately stop using the product and dispose of it, ideally in a hazardous waste container. Do not pour these products down the drain or flush them.
The FDA is also concerned with people ingesting any type of hand sanitizer, while sanitizer containing methanol is especially dangerous you shouldn't drink any of these products; certain hand sanitizers that may not contain the sufficient amount of ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol; hand sanitizers that are sold or offered for sale with false and misleading, unproven claims that they can prevent the spread of viruses such as COVID-19, including claims that they can provide prolonged protection; products incorrectly marked FDA approved, as no hand sanitizers are approved by the FDA; hand sanitizer that is packaged to appear as drinks, candy or liquor bottles, as well as sanitizers marketed as drinks or cocktails, because their appearance could result in accidental ingestion or encourage ingestion and products labeled with harmful or poisonous ingredients, such as methanol.
The FDA is aware of reports of adverse events associated with hand sanitizer products and encourages health care professionals, consumers and patients to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of hand sanitizers to FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (please provide the agency with as much information as possible to identify the product): complete and submit the report online; or download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
Just remember that hand sanitizer, while effective, is not as effective as washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't readily available then the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol, which is also referred to as ethyl alcohol.
To view the expansive do-not-use list of hand sanitizers by the FDA, visit www.fda.gov/unsafehandsanitizers and scroll to the bottom of the page to get to the list.