Toxic Hand Sanitizer List Includes up to 94 Products [updated]
Hand sanitizers that are effective against coronavirus are those that contain at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol. But there are several brands that use methanol, a more toxic type of alcohol, and the FDA has issued warnings not to use them.
When we first released this information at the end of June, there were nine brands of methanol-based disinfectants on the FDA list , all manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico:
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
- Good Gel Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
To learn more about disinfection, watch the video below:
Since then, the list has expanded to include 94 different products . They usually only include ethanol among their ingredients, but have tested positive for methanol. The FDA said in a statement, “The agency is aware of the consumption of methanol-contaminated hand sanitizers in adults and children, resulting in recent side effects including blindness, hospitalizations and death.”
We stay tuned for updates. As we mentioned earlier, the new additions as of July 14 include disinfectants with the following brand names or label names (check the list for specific products and their NDC numbers), including:
- Blumen
- Clare and Danver
- Modesa
- Keeper of honey
- Hello Kitty from Sanrio
- Sure
- bio aaa
- LumiSkin
- QualitaMed
- Amenities of the Earth
- Agavespa
- Vidanos
- All-Pure
- Andy
- Gellore
- NeoNatural
- Plus Advanced
- Optimus
- Shine and Cleanliness
- Selecto
- Mystical shield
- Bersich
- Wet Look Cleaning and Gardening Corporation.
- Britz
- DAESI
In a further update, the FDA added more products, some of the brands that were already on the list, and some new names, including those listed below. Again, this is not an exhaustive list and some products have similar names, so check the FDA listing for clarification:
- Optimus
- Herbacil
- NEXT
- Clear Advanced
- NuuxSan
- Yaloma
- Lyper Fork Factory
If you have any of the listed hand sanitizers, do not use them. The FDA asks not to pour them down the drain. Instead, dispose of them in “suitable hazardous waste containers” or, if you do not have them, consult your local waste disposal and recycling centers. In other words, the people who collect your trash should advise you on what to do.
Methanol poisoning can occur if you use these disinfectants on your skin frequently or in large quantities, but it is more likely if the disinfectant is swallowed. This could include children getting caught in the hand sanitizer, or teenagers or adults taking it by mouth, thinking it contains ethanol (you can get drunk with regular hand sanitizer, although trying to do so is an absolutely terrible idea).
Symptoms of methanol poisoning, according to the FDA, include “nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, or death.” If you have used one of these offensive brands and experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
If you’ve used a disinfectant but aren’t sure if you should be concerned, there is always a poison control hotline that can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 or through their website .
This article was originally published in June and was updated in July to include updates from the FDA, which at the time had 59 products on the list. We updated again on 07/30/2020.