Although using hand sanitizer to keep them clean and reduce the spread of the coronavirus is one of the recommendations of the health authorities, the Food and Drug Administration alerts the population to avoid buying those that contain methanol , a substance that can be potentially toxic for the Health.
In recent weeks, the FDA has identified several products that contain methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or "wood alcohol."
"Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used because of its toxic effects ," the institution said in the document.
Through a press release issued on June 19, the organization announced that nine hand sanitizers manufactured by the Mexican company Eskbiochem contained this substance, and warned to avoid the following products:
1. All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01).
2. Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01).
3. CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04).
4. Wash 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01).
5. The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10).
6. CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03).
7. CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01).
8. CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01).
9. Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01).
According to the statement, samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ were analyzed. The Wash Gel product "contains 81% methanol and is free of ethyl alcohol," while CleanCare No Germ "contains 28% methanol."
And now, in early July, the institution identified and added to its list other dangerous disinfectants that contain the same substance:
1. 70% alcohol fragrance-free hand sanitizing gel from Grupo Insoma (NDC: 75744-0200-3, 75744-0200-4, 75744-0201-5, 75744-0202-1, 75744-0250-1, 75744- 0250-2, 75744-0500-1, 75744-1000-1, 75744-1000-3 and 75744-1001-1).
2. Mystic Shield Protection Hand Sanitizer from Translucent Technologies (NDC: 75477-435-02, 75477-435-10, 75477-435-12, 75477-435-25, 75477-435-50 and 75477-534-10 ).
3. Bersih Hand Sanitizer Unscented Gel, from Cosmetic Solutions (NDC: 75165-003-02, 75165-004-01, 75165-005-01, 75165-006-01, 75165-008-01, 75165-250-01y 75165-600-01).
4. Antiseptic alcohol 70% topical hand sanitizer solution (NDC: not listed).
5. Britz hand sanitizer with 70% ethyl alcohol (NDC: from 76676-402-01 to 77676-402-20).
The health risks
The FDA cautions that exposure to methanol can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, or even death.
Likewise, he assures that those who are at greater risk of suffering these signs are young children "who accidentally ingest these products" and "adolescents and adults who drink these products as substitutes for alcohol (ethanol)".
For this reason, the FDA recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, instead of using hand sanitizer.
So, if you are using hand sanitizer, the CDC recommends making sure you use one that does not contain methanol and that contains at least 60% alcohol.
See also:
Antibacterial gel against coronavirus: does it really work against COVID-19?
The danger of methanol and the 9 disinfectant gels that contain it according to the FDA
10 natural disinfectants you can do at home
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