Hand Sanitizer Poisoning Calls Up 70%

2020's dance with the Coronavirus crises continues. Yesterday it was an ongoing shortage of Clorox Wipes. Today It's a concern about poisoning from hand sanitizers!

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPC) reports that calls to poison control centers are up 70 percent since the pandemic began.

Fox News reports that cases between January 1st and August 2nd reached over 21,000, up from about 12,400 cases in the same time frame in 2019. Potential hand sanitizing poisoning cases peaked in mid-July, with nearly 300 phone calls made in a day at 55 poison control centers across the country.

Experts say the one big issue that poison control centers noted is that consumers are using hand sanitizers that are too highly concentrated with methanol, which can be toxic when consumed or absorbed through the skin.

“Methanol is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects,” the FDA warns. “Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate treatment for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.”

People exposed to high doses of methanol can experiences headaches, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting, and in more severe cases, permanent blindness and seizures.

The last thing you want is to get sick from the products you use to fight the virus in the first place.

The FDA has a list of hand sanitizers to avoid, mostly from Mexico, and you can find the list here.