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FDA Warning About the Dangers of Hand Sanitizers With Methanol
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to
consumers and health care providers about hand sanitizer products that
are labeled as containing ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but
that have tested positive for methanol contamination. Methanol (i.e.,
methyl alcohol or wood alcohol) is a substance that can be toxic when
absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when
ingested. As per the FDA news update hyperlinked below, “Methanol is
not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be
used due to its toxic effects. FDA’s investigation of methanol in
certain hand sanitizers is ongoing. The agency will provide additional
information as it becomes available.”
FDA has identified more than two dozen hand sanitizers that are toxic
when absorbed through the skin. It is urgent that this information be
sent to child care providers, parents, state child care licensing
offices, child care professional development agencies, and others who
can disseminate this information.
Consumers who have been exposed to a hand sanitizer containing methanol
and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate treatment for the
potential toxic effects of methanol poisoning, which can include
nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, permanent blindness, and
seizures. Although people of all ages are at risk for methanol
poisoning, “young children who accidentally ingest these products and
adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol)
substitute are most at risk.”
Please see the full FDA news update on hand sanitizers with methanol for further information.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-methanol
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