Introduction:
Hand sanitizers usually contain alcohol approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Such products typically have the following ingredients,
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Ethanol (ethyl alcohol).
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Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol).
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Benzalkonium chloride (a detergent).
Most of the time, the risk found in using hand sanitizer is considered more dangerous than exposure to other alcohol sources. FDA has announced that some sanitizers are contaminated with methanol (methyl alcohol). Too much methanol can cause severe side effects such as permanent blindness, death, and secondary changes as soon as one's body metabolizes. Another chemical in sanitizer is benzene, which can cause leukemia.
Hand sanitizers can be dangerous if it is swallowed. Actual symptoms of misusing the product are rare. When the children taste or lick the hand sanitizer, they experience only mild symptoms. Hand sanitizers taste bad and cause a burning sensation. Hand sanitizers are for killing powerful germs, so they should be kept far away from children. Buying sanitizers in large containers should be avoided.
What Is Sanitizer Saturation?
When the COVID-19 pandemic was seen in the United States, the global problem was killing the virus, so hand sanitizer use increased. This demand made the FDA some relaxation rules for manufacturing hand sanitizers. This included additional hand sanitizer manufacturing companies that joined the market. So, unfortunately, all the hand sanitizers were labeled as FDA-approved. The manufacturing companies provided the product list information to make the drug on National Code Drug (universal product identifier used for human drugs). This list does not mean that the FDA approves it. The FDA tried to make sure that the manufacturer specifically denatures the alcohol present in the hand sanitizer that causes smell and bad taste to prevent young children from ingesting it and to limit harmful impurities present in the sanitizers like methanol to safer levels.
How Methanol and 1-Propanol Are Toxic?
There are many types of alcohol available. Only ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are acceptable alcohols in hand sanitizers. The other types of alcohol, such as methanol and 1-propanol, are not acceptable hand sanitizers because they can be toxic to humans. FDA has tested some sanitizers potentially contaminated with these toxic types of alcohol, such as methanol and 1-propanol.
Methanol Toxicities: Methanol or methyl alcohol is also called wood alcohol and is used for making rocket fuels, due to its anti-freezing characteristic, it is very toxic. Methanol should never be rubbed on the skin or swallowed. Swallowing or drinking sanitizers contaminated with methanol may cause serious health problems such as permanent blindness and death.
1 - Propanol Toxicities: 1-propyl alcohol or 1-propanol is used to make industrial solvents. It is a type of cleaner that can also be toxic to humans when swallowed. Swallowing or drinking hand sanitizer accidentally may be contaminated with 1- propanol can decrease heart rate and breathing. And other severe symptoms lead to death. Hand sanitizer with 1-propanol contamination can irritate the skin or eyes. Rarely do some people develop allergic reactions.
Why Should One Never Swallow the Hand Sanitizer?
One should never try swallowing or drinking any type of hand sanitizer because one can get poisoning from alcohol. Children are at a higher risk of accidentally swallowing hand sanitizer due to their smaller bodies. They are at risk of health problems after swallowing the hand sanitizers. Alcohol poisoning from any other type of alcohol can cause serious health problems or death.
Hand sanitizers are often contaminated with potentially toxic alcohol types such as methanol or 1-propanol. If it is present on the list on the hand sanitizer label, one should immediately stop using the poisonous hand sanitizer and be advised to put it in a hazardous waste container. FDA test results have shown some hand sanitizers with much lower active ingredients listed on the label. The CDC (Centers for Disease and Prevention) recommends hand sanitizers should contain at least about 60 % of ethyl alcohol when listed as alcohol on the label.
What Are Misleading or False Label Claims?
In the peak time of the coronavirus pandemic, the FDA has some false or misleading claims on the hand sanitizer labels. Before using hand sanitizer, one should be aware that no sanitizers have been proven to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 infection. Also, sanitizers would not prevent the viruses or bacteria for about 24 hours.
Why Should One Warn Their Children and Teens About the Hand Sanitizer?
Poison centers have increased nationwide because many children have accidentally swallowed hand sanitizers that look like candy or a sweet drink. Hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning, serious health problems, and death. Children should always avoid hand sanitizers since they may swallow any type.
Why Should One Keep Hand Sanitizers Away From Pets?
One should keep hand sanitizers away from pets by never using them on their paws or skin, as they can cause alcohol poisoning and serious health problems. If the pets get on their skin or accidentally swallow the hand sanitizers immediately, one should contact their veterinarian or animal poison control service.
How to Find the Safe Hand Sanitizer?
One can spot safe hand sanitizer by picking it up from the store. The first thing is noting the ingredients on the label to ensure they have ethanol or isopropyl alcohol as their active ingredient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least 60 % of ethyl alcohol or 70 % of isopropyl alcohol. But FDA recommends that sanitizers should contain about 94.9 percent ethanol in volume.
Is Creating Hand Sanitizer at Home a Viable Option?
Homemade hand sanitizer might not be the optimal choice for families, as the FDA cautions that if hand sanitizer is produced inaccurately, its efficiency may be compromised. Additionally, there have been accounts of dermal/skin burns resulting from the use of self-made hand sanitizer.
How to Get Rid of Hand Sanitizers That Have Been Banned?
Rejected hand sanitizers should not be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain. These products should be disposed of in containers marked for hazardous waste. If one is unsure, they could inquire with the local waste management and recycling agency.
Which Categories of Sanitizer Products Should Be Refrained From Sale?
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Hand sanitizers that lack sufficient amounts of ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol substantially increase the use of hand sanitizers to combat COVID-19.
Hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent ethanol/ethyl alcohol is advised by the CDC for use when hand washing is not practicable. After coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose, using the lavatory, or coming into contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, individuals should cleanse their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water. Additionally, hand hygiene should be maintained before eating or touching the face.
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Hand sanitizers Make a false claim that they can offer protection twenty-four hours a day or that they can stop the spread of infections like COVID-19.
What Is the Most Effective Preventative Measure Against Methanol Exposure?
The CDC advises individuals to:
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Irrespective of the potential for hand sanitizer contamination, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms manifest: headache, vision impairment or blurriness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, coordination deficit, or confusion. It is advisable to seek medical advice before contacting Poison Control.
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Hand sanitizer, regardless of alcohol concentration, must never be consumed.
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Prevent unsupervised use of hand disinfectant by children.
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Sanitizer containers ought to never be left unattended in an area frequented by animals.
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Compare the labels of hand sanitizers before purchase or use with those in the FDA's database. Methanol-containing hand sanitizers have been updated by the FDA.
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Safely eliminate the contaminated disinfectant by draining it down into the sewage system.
When to Call the Doctor?
Suppose someone thinks when exposed to hand sanitizers, they are advised to call their healthcare providers immediately, and another thing is that one should not try to manage it alone. It is a complicated and also potentially dangerous process. Washing hands for twenty seconds with water and soap is one of the superior ways to use hand sanitizer.
Conclusion:
One can use the sanitizer in a limited and appropriate way. One should avoid using sanitizers contaminated with methanol or 1-propanol. And also, try to keep the sanitizers away from pets and children. The contents of hand sanitizers can be hazardous and should be used with care.
