FDA: Keep Your Hands Clean, but Beware of These Harmful Sanitizers

More than 100 harmful sanitizers have made the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rolling list of sanitizers recalled because of the presence of a toxic chemical.

In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is only normal for products like hand sanitizers to be a commodity. Months into the pandemic, though, the FDA has already flagged 115 products for testing positive for methanol as of August 4.

The harmful sanitizers have a chemical that can be poisonous if absorbed through the skin. The FDA also said it could be harmful if ingested. Most of the harmful sanitizers appear to be from Mexico, and many recall done, so people do not buy or use them anymore, said a Fox Business report.

Last month, FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn warned about the health and safety problems that come with using harmful sanitizers. He also urged the public to stop using hand sanitizers included in their list of toxic products.

According to the Los Angeles Times, some hand sanitizers can cause blindness, liver and kidney damage, or even death. They make children a lot more at risk.

What makes methanol a harmful sanitizer ingredient?

In late July, the FDA found a "sharp increase" in hand sanitizers claimed to be made with ethyl alcohol but was tainted with methanol.

As the L.A. Times called it, methanol is a "poor cousin of isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol." It smells, feels, and tastes like the FDA approved ingredients.

The difference it has from the approved forms of alcohol is that it only has one carbon atom instead of two, a small change that makes a big difference in terms of life or death. When consumed, its first effects are confusion, heavy breathing, slurred words, and altered perception.

According to Dr. William Banner of the Oklahoma Center for Poison Control, harmful sanitizers have yet to cause a surge in calls for poison control centers. But since hand sanitizers have become the go-to defense against coronavirus in the United States, health experts know it is being misused by many.

Parents would often slather in not just on children's hands but also on their arms and faces. Banner did not approve of this practice.

If the hand sanitizer was tainted with methanol, using it the wrong way could lead to immediate dangers, especially for children who can have a faster build-up of methanol in tissues than adults.

Many recalls may be done, and most imports have been blocked from coming into the U.S., but they can still be in circulation.

FDA Warns About Ineffective Hand Sanitizers

To add to the threat of harmful sanitizers, the FDA is also warning people about hand sanitizers with a lack of alcohol, the CNN reported.

In its updated warning on July 31, the FDA expressed concerns about hand sanitizers with low levels of alcohol. The agency urged people not to use these products and added these kinds of sanitizers on their list.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proper hand hygiene is a vital part of the response to COVID-19. They recommended using alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.

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