- The U.S. FDA has warned people not to use certain hand sanitizer products.
- The sanitizers contain high levels of methanol.
- Methanol is a toxic substance when absorbed through the skin or ingested.
- It is a toxic alcohol used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source.
- Exposure to methanol can result in mild to serious health risks.
- FDA has advised people to stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately.
According to an article published in USA Today and authored by Elinor Aspegren, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to use certain hand sanitizer products because they may contain methanol.
What is methanol?
Methanol is a toxic substance when absorbed through the skin or ingested. It is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.
Significant exposure to methanol can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, and death.
FDA issues warning
According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, methanol can potentially be lethal only if used in a dose of 30 to 240 ml.
The FDA advises consumers to “stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately“:
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
- The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
Those exposed to hand sanitizers that contain methanol should seek medical care immediately, according to the FDA.
Adults and children prone to risk
The FDA found methanol in samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ hand sanitizers manufactured by Eskbiochem SA, a chemical manufacturer based in Mexico.
The agency has recommended to Eskbiochem that the company remove its hand sanitizer products from the market, but the company has not yet removed them.
Children who accidentally ingest hand sanitizer and young people who drink hand sanitizer as an alcohol substitute is at an increased risk for methanol poisoning, the FDA said.
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Source: USAToday
