The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reminded the public to avoid hand sanitizers containing toxic substance methanol.

The FDA said more than a dozen kinds of hand sanitizer contained methanol, which is a toxic substance when absorbed through skin and can be life-threatening when ingested. 

The FDA noted that all of the products in its latest methanol update were produced in Mexico.

The agency said there is an increase of hand sanitizer products claiming to contain ethanol or ethyl alcohol, but have tested positive for methanol contamination, according to USA Today.

"Methanol is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects," the FDA was quoted.

The agency added that investigation of methanol in some hand sanitizers is ongoing.

First Warning

Last June, the FDA alerted consumers about these toxic hand sanitizers. It issued a consumer safety alert warning of possible toxic methanol contamination in 14 hand sanitizer products manufactured in Mexico. 

The FDA suggested distributors to recall products and advised the public not to use products produced by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico. Recently, five more products were added to the FDA warning.

These are: Hand Sanitizer Gel Unscented 70% Alcohol, manufactured by Grupo Insoma, S.A.P.I de CV; Mystic Shield Protection hand sanitizer, manufactured by Transliquid Technologies; Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel Fragrance Free, manufactured by Soluciones Cosmeticas SA de CV; Antiseptic Alcohol 70% Topical Solution hand sanitizer, manufactured by Soluciones Cosmeticas SA de CV; and Britz Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 70%, manufactured by Tropicosmeticos SA de CV.

If exposed to methanol contaminated hand sanitizers and experience symptoms, the FDA advised the public to see a doctor for immediate treatment.

The use of alcohol and hand sanitizer has become a common practice nowadays because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In its advisory, the FDA advised the public to continue washing their hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom, sneezing, and coughing to avoid being infected from the virus.

Harmful Effects of Methanol

Exposure to substantial methanol can cause blindness and death. It can also result in nausea, vomiting, headache, seizures, coma, and permanent damage to the nervous system.

The FDA reported that some adults and children in the United States have been blinded and hospitalized because of the toxic methanol. Some cases reported death after accidentally ingesting these harmful hand sanitizer products.

The only immediate treatment on methanol exposure is to wash skin or eyes for at least 15 minutes.

What is Methanol?

Methanol, also called wood alcohol, can be used to create fuel, solvents, and antifreeze. This is a non-drinking type of alcohol that is volatile, flammable, and can be harmful for human consumption.

Methanol can also be used in creating inks, resins, adhesives, and dyes. It can also be used as a type of vehicle fuel or marine fuel and as a renewable type of fuel called biodiesel. Methanol can also be used in making medicinal ingredients and products.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for the regulation of methanol exposure in industrial settings. The OSHA helps protect workers from workplace hazards and help avoid injuries, illnesses and incidents.

Meanwhile, fruits and vegetables naturally contain methanol. Levels of methanol consume through fruits and vegetables would not cause harmful effects, assured the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.

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