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Is your hand sanitizer a hazard?

Wood alcohol, or methanol, can be absorbed through the skin — and it can be toxic enough to cause blindness. If it is ingested, it can be lethal.

A rush of new brands of hand sanitizer has hit the market since March and, unfortunately, some of them contain wood alcohol. Since June, the FDA has found at least 87 such products and it urges consumers to avoid them.

To be safe, hand sanitizers should contain only ethanol, which is also called ethyl alcohol. But although many of these products are advertising as containing ethanol/ethyl alcohol, tests showed that they actually contained methanol. Therefore, consumers have no way of knowing which sanitizers are safe to use, except by sticking to known brands and keeping track of dangerous ones the FDA has identified on its website.

Never drink or eat hand sanitizer and keep it away from kids

As we mentioned, methanol can be absorbed through the skin, so you can become seriously ill even by using the product as directed. However, the FDA has received reports of both adults and children ingesting hand sanitizers and becoming seriously ill as a result. Adverse events reported include blindness, hospitalizations and death.

Even if you are sure your hand sanitizer contains only ethanol/ethyl alcohol, you should never ingest it. Doing so could make you seriously ill, and it won’t get you drunk.

Keep all hand sanitizers away from children to avoid the possibility they will ingest the substance. Although anyone who ingests methanol could be at risk for serious illness or death, children are at the highest risk. Ingesting only a small amount could be lethal for a child.

Symptoms of methanol poisoning

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of methanol poisoning, you should immediately seek treatment to reverse the toxic effects. After substantial exposure, affected people may experience:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Blindness, which may be permanent
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Permanent damage to the nervous system
  • Death

Hand sanitizers are never ‘FDA-approved’

The FDA especially recommends avoiding hand sanitizers that are sold with false or misleading information. For example:

  • Claims that they can prevent the spread of viruses
  • Claims that they can provide prolonged protection (e.g. for 24 hours)
  • Claims that they are FDA approved (the FDA does not approve hand sanitizers)

Also, you should avoid hand sanitizers that are packaged like food or drink, as these can confuse children into ingesting them. The packaging may make the product sound like a candy, drink or liquor or be marketed as a drink or cocktail.

Use soap and water instead

Hand sanitizer is not necessary to prevent the spread of viruses. Washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water is just as effective. Since some products containing methanol are not properly labeled, consider avoiding hand sanitizer altogether to keep yourself and your children safe.

If you believe you may have been sickened or injured by methanol-based hand sanitizer, discuss your situation with an attorney who handles product liability law.

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I have the utmost respect for Rip Andrews and the lawyers at MRB Law. They took a case that others would have stayed clear of because the issue of state immunity was involved. Through determination and unwavering commitment they were able to a find resolution to an extremely difficult matter.
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These lawyers took a complicated issue, revealed the truth in a way 12 jurors unfamiliar with the topic could understand, and brought justice to my family through a multi-million dollar verdict. They were able to relate my “invisible” medical condition to the jury better than I can to my own friends. And because of that, the jury hugged me and cried with me when it was all over. That meant more to me than any amount of money.
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These lawyers took a complicated issue, revealed the truth in a way 12 jurors unfamiliar with the topic could understand, and brought justice to my family through a multi-million dollar verdict. They were able to relate my “invisible” medical condition to the jury better than I can to my own friends. And because of that, the jury hugged me and cried with me when it was all over. That meant more to me than any amount of money.
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I can’t adequately put into words the appreciation I have for Mr. Derrick Mills and MRB Law. He was assertive in his fight for justice for our family during our time of tragedy. Mr. Mills is knowledgeable, passionate and a great communicator. Our relationship began as strangers but ended in friendship thanks to the compassion he showed. Thank you Mr. Mills for being a dedicated professional! Justice done right!
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