The FDA Warns Public Not To Use Potentially Toxic Hand Sanitizers from Eskbiochem

Methanol, a toxic type of alcohol, has been found in samples of their products


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning for the public not to buy or use hand sanitizer produced by a particular company as it contains methanol.




Image credits Harvey Boyd.

Methanol, the simplest molecule in the alcohol family, can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. According to the FDA, certain hygiene products manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico can potentially contain methanol. As such, the institution warns people not to use them.
“Substantial exposure” to methanol can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or even death, according to the FDA.

The bad alcohol

“Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for a potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning,” the FDA says in a statement.
“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 warning extends to nine products of the company, which the FDA found methanol in samples of. These are All-Clean Hand Sanitizer, Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer, CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer, Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer, The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer, Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer and three varieties of CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer.
Sampling revealed between 28% to 80% methanol and no ethyl alcohol (the last one is the one in beer or other drinks) in some of these products. “methanol and no ethyl alcohol” the agency adds. Products should contain ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol), or benzalkonium chloride to be marketed as hand sanitizers.
People who apply the products to their hands are at some risk for methanol poisoning, but the greatest risk comes from ingesting methanol. The FDA notes that children tend to accidentally ingest such products, while others (teens and adults) will sometimes drink them as an alcohol substitute.
If you’ve used these products, seek medical treatment immediately, the FDA advises. Any remaining products should be disposed of as well.
Methanol is dangerous because our bodies break it down into formic acid, which is toxic to our cells. Around 56 grams of methanol are, on average, the lethal dose for an adult human. Methanol poisoning is most usually associated with unlicensed alcohol production, where methanol isn’t properly removed during the distillation process.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

A record 53.6 million tons of e-waste was produced last year, says UN

Image
There's sign of decline in the near future. From flat-screen TVs to cellphones, humans generated 53.6 million metric tons of  electronic waste  last year, almost two million metric tons more than the previous year. Only 17% of the waste was recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, incinerated or just unaccounted for. Electronic and electrical goods such as computers, refrigerators, and kettles have gradually become indispensable in modern societies, making lives easier in many ways. But they can also have toxic chemicals, and a growing production of waste is damaging the environment and human health. The figures for last year, reported by the  United Nation’s Global E-waste Monitor , are equivalent to 7.3 kilograms of electronic waste for every man, woman and child on Earth, though the use is concentrated in wealthier countries. The amount of e-waste is growing three times faster than the world’s population Citizens of northern European countries produced the most e-waste la
Read More

What are the benefits of using CBD topicals

Image
Because topical CBD interacts with the body differently from products taken orally, effects could vary wildly. CBD (cannabidiol) products are all the rage right now, with countless companies and merchandisers offering a wide variety of options. While edibles are usually the products of choice, some prefer topical CBD products to avoid gastrointestinal problems or to reap potential pain reduction effects from local application to specific body parts, such as a sore shoulder or ankle. It is, however, extremely probable that there are significant differences in outcomes between oral and topical administration of CBD products.  What’s CBD and what is it good for? Credit: Phyto. CBD is one of the many compounds found in  Cannabaceae  plants, or, as most people call them, cannabis plants. It can be extracted from both the marijuana and hemp plants; however, most US states require that CBD oil products come from hemp and do not contain more than 0.03%  THC . CBD oil does not produce a high, b
Read More

This is what ocean acidification is doing to creatures in the Arctic

Image
The Arctic ocean acidification is much worse than we thought. As we emit more and more carbon dioxide, the effects are being felt not just above ground, but also underwater.  A marine snail shows damage to its shell (jagged line radiating from center) due to acidic ocean waters. Image credits: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Ocean acidification is often regarded as the unseen twin of climate warming. It’s unseen because we humans don’t spend much of our time underwater, but for the creatures that do, it’s a catastrophe. When carbon is emitted into the atmosphere, a part of it gets absorbed by the oceans, producing carbonic acid. This acid essentially dissolves the shell of marine creatures such as mollusks, sea urchins, starfish, and corals, making it difficult or impossible for them to survive. Researchers have already identified this process, as well as the way ripples it down the entire oceanic food chain. But according to a new study, it’s even worse than we th
Read More