KEY POINTS

  • The FDA warned consumers not to buy nine hand sanitizers still sold in the market
  • All these products were made by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico
  • The hand sanitizers contained a poisonous substance called methanol

Nine hand sanitizers still sold in the market reportedly contained a potentially fatal toxic chemical and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to purchase these products.

These hand sanitizers came from a company named Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico, and contained a toxic substance called methanol, which can be easily absorbed through the skin, per CNN. Exposure to this substance in significant amounts can lead to headaches, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision and permanent blindness, seizures, damage to the nervous system, coma or death.

Below are the nine hand sanitizer brands that consumers must avoid. According to Consumer Affairs, the NDC in the coded list refers to the "universal product identifier for human drugs in the United States":

  • 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)

Methanol is a common ingredient found in industrial products like paint thinners and adhesive. During this health crisis, some companies sought the use of alternative sanitation ingredients like ethanol, isopropanol and methanol in making hand sanitizers.

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The FDA warns that there are nine hand sanitizers sold in the market with toxic chemicals and consumers must avoid these. Pixabay

However, methanol contains a certain acid that makes it toxic for cleaning hands, according to a report from BioEnergy International. It also stated a product that has 4% methanol must be automatically labeled as poison.

"Methanol is an industrial product that is toxic and should not be used in hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants where there is a risk of exposure from skin contact, inhalation or ingestion," Methanol Institute CEO Gregory Dolan said.

Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ have more methanol content than any of the listed products from the FDA. Lavar Gel has 81% methanol, while CleanCare No Germ has 28%.

Only ethanol and isopropanol have FDA approval for use in healthcare. These substances are also registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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