FDA Warns Public About Toxic Hand Sanitizers

NEW YORK, NY — Check the hand sanitizer you just bought at the point of purchase at your local drugstore. The federal Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use hand sanitizer made by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico.

The reason is that there is the potential presence of wood alcohol — or methanol — which is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.

The FDA has ID'd the following products manufactured by Eskbiochem:

• All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
• Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
• Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
• The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
• Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)

Samples of Lavar Gel tested by the FDA found the product contains 81 percent methanol and no ethyl alcohol. CleanCare No Germ has 28 percent methanol.

Experts said methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects.

Consumers who have been exposed to methanol-containing hand sanitizer should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute are most at risk for methanol poisoning.

The FDA contacted Eskbiochem June 17 to recommend removing its hand sanitizer products from the market due to the health risks. To date, the company has not.

Consumers who have the products should stop using them immediately and dispose of them in appropriate hazardous waste containers, the FDA said. The products should not be poured down the drain or flushed.

Washing one's hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is recommended by the FDA. If soap and water are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.

There have been no reports of adverse events associated with the Eskbiochem hand-sanitizer products.