HAND SANITIZER WARNING:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem after samples of the Mexican company's hand sanitizer were found to contain methanol (wood alcohol), which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.
"Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects,” the FDA said in a statement.
In sample testing, the FDA found the company's Lavar Gel Hand Sanitizer contained 81 percent methanol and CleanCare No Germ contained 28 percent methanol.
If you have purchased these hand sanitizers, the agency recommends you stop using them immediately and dispose of the hand sanitizer in “appropriate hazardous waste containers.” Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain, the FDA advises.
The FDA is not aware of any consumers being harmed by these hand sanitizers to date, but notes that “substantial methanol exposure” can result in “permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death."
"Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning,” the FDA said.
On June 17, the FDA requested that Eskbiochem voluntarily remove its hand sanitizer products from the market. So far, the company has not complied, which prompted the FDA to issue a consumer alert. Eskbiochem did not respond to a request for comment from AARP before publication of this article.
9 Hand Sanitizers Subject to FDA Safety Warning
- 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)
In response to COVID-19, the FDA reminds people to wash their hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds (especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after coughing, sneezing or blowing one's nose) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. If soap and water is not available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol to kill most disease-causing germs. Anything less than that may not work as well “for many types of germs,” and could “merely reduce the growth of germs rather than kill them outright,” the CDC says.
Hand sanitizer works best when used correctly. Be sure to apply enough hand sanitizer to cover the entire surface of both hands. Rub the hand sanitizer into your hands (paying special attention to the fingertips) until your skin is completely dry – it should take about 20 seconds.
