Methanol Hand Sanitizer Heme Review

Methanol-contaminated hand sanitizer has been on sale in the USA during COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA has issued a warning against this, and have listed the brands. Most stores that are selling these brands have pulled them from shelves.

Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can cause blindness. Its antidote is ethanol, which is the alcohol that people drink casually, however management needs to be done by a healthcare professional, as methanol hangs around in the body for several days.

The case presented here predates the pandemic by almost 20 years. However, methanol skin absorption has been identified as an industrial work hazard since the early 20th century.



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References:

[0] Case report: Percutaneous absorption and distribution of methanol in a homicide. J Ana Toxicol. 2005 Oct;29(7):734-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16419410/

[1] FDA Methanol List: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use

[2] B.Dutkiewicz, J.Konczalik, and W.Karwaki. Skin absorption and per os administration of methanol in men. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 47(1): 81-88 (1980).

[3] Material Safety Data Sheet. SNAP Octane Booster, Product #8-290, SNAP Products Inc. Pandora, OH, 1993.