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CDC warning regarding hand sanitizers containing methanol

In a time when more people are purchasing and using hand sanitizers to clean their hands when soap and water are not readily available, the CDC has issued a warning to avoid any containing methanol.

https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00434.asp

Methanol, or wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested.

The FDA urges anyone who has used a product containing methanol and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention right away. 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 for methanol poisoning, young children who accidentally ingest these products and others who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.

The FDA has begun to compile a list of products which are testing positive for methanol and has issued recalls.

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-methanol

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