Toxic methanol that causes blindness found in hand sanitizers, FDA warns

Enlarge / Hand sanitizer being applied to a person's hand. (credit: Getty | Leopoldo Smith)

The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday advised consumers to avoid nine types of hand sanitizers that may contain methanol, a toxic alcohol that can cause blindness if swallowed and systemic effects if absorbed through the skin.

All nine hand sanitizers are made by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico. The agency said in its advisory that it discovered methanol while testing two of the company's products. One, called Lavar Gel, was 81-percent methanol-and no ethanol, a safe alcohol meant to be used in hand sanitizers. Another, CleanCare No Germ, was 28-percent methanol.

Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers," the FDA wrote. With use of hand sanitizers at a high amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency advised that anyone who has used the methanol-containing products seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning."

Read 9 remaining paragraphs | Comments