As the use of hand sanitizers has increased during the COVID 19 pandemic, so has the number of calls to poison centers related to possible toxic alcohol exposures. More hand sanitizer is being produced, either at home or in other countries, and it can contain a variety of chemicals and alcohols that can be dangerous, if not deadly.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, some producers have been labeling their products to contain ethyl alcohol, but were actually using Methanol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening.
Doctor David Gummin, Medical Director of the Wisconsin Poison Center, suggests that you only use sanitizer as directed on your hands, and if you begin to feel nausea, vomiting, headache, or blurred vision call the Poison Center at 800-222-1222 immediately.
