Playing it Safe with Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizer has become a staple during the Coronavirus pandemic. Grocery stores, gyms and everywhere in between now have hand sanitizer stations outside and inside their buildings. But recently the CDC and FDA have warned about the possible dangers of some hand sanitizers that are being produced.

The FDA is now warning people of hand sanitizers that contain Ethanol, but that have also tested positive for Methanol. The FDA recently launched an investigation into companies that are producing products containing Methanol, and are warning people of the serious implications of this substance. Methanol is a toxic chemical that can have serious lasting harm when absorbed through the skin or ingested.

The long term effects of exposure to Methanol are serious and could even potentially to lead to death. Some of the side effects of Methanol exposure are:

• Blindness
• Coma
• Seizures
• Blurred Vision, etc.

The CDC advises people to wash their hands before and after eating to lower the risk of ingesting methanol. If soap and water is not readily available, you should seek out hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent Ethanol. According to the FDA, the best ways to avoid potential Methanol poisoning are:

• Not ingesting hand sanitizer of any kind
• Reading the ingredients of the hand sanitizer you are using
• Avoiding any hand sanitizer that claims to be approved by the FDA or that can prevent Coronavirus

While the FDA’s investigation into hand sanitizers that contain Methanol is still on-going, there are other ways to keep yourself healthy during these times. To see a complete list of all the current hand sanitizers found to have contained Methanol you can visit the FDA’s website.