Hand sanitizer is an important part of staying safe and healthy, especially during the era of COVID-19. Washing your hands is still the best way to kill germs and reduce your risks of getting sick, but not everyone has access to a sink with soap and running water. However, hand sanitizer isn’t risk-free, especially in light of recent news from the FDA.
In late June 2020, the FDA announced that certain hand sanitizers were manufactured using methanol, or wood alcohol, instead of ethanol, or ethyl alcohol. The latter is safe to use and effective at killing bacteria and viruses. Methanol, however, is extremely dangerous and can put users at risk whether they come into contact with it topically or they ingest it. The FDA rejects products with methanol that puts users at high risk of exposure, but the manufacturers of these hand sanitizers aren’t disclosing that their products contain the chemical.
People most at risk of methanol poisoning are those who consume the affected hand sanitizers. Side effects can include everything from nausea and vomiting, blurred vision and blindness, to coma and death. Children are particularly susceptible to these effects, as they may accidentally ingest methanol-based hand sanitizer.
The FDA’s website contains a full list of recalled hand sanitizers, and new products are getting added to the list every week. Be sure to check it regularly, especially if you have purchased hand sanitizer manufactured by a company that’s unfamiliar to you.
At Ponce Law, it’s our goal to help people hurt by defective and dangerous products. If you or someone you love suffered harm after using a product, call our Nashville defective product lawyers today for a free consultation.
