The Food and Drug Administration US warns consumers about antiseptics containing methanol!
Specifically, they are urging people not to use nine types of antisepticsthat may contain this substance. Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can cause blindness if swallowed and more general side effects if it comes into contact with the skin.
All nine antiseptics were manufactured by the company "Eskbiochem SA de CV" located in Mexico. The agency said that during inspections they discovered this element in two of the products of this company.
One is called "Lavar Gel" and contains 81% methanol, instead of the safe ethanol usually used in antiseptics, which was not present at all. The second is called "CleanCare No Germ" and contained 28%.
«Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient in antiseptics. We advise those who have used it to seek medical attention, which is critical to reversing the toxic effects..»
This toxic substance is the simplest form of alcohol, a type of poison, and causes serious effects on the body if swallowed, inhaled, or comes into contact with the skin. It is often associated with improperly distilled liquor. Ingesting just 30 ml – 2 tablespoons – can be fatal for young children, while a smaller dose can cause permanent blindness.
When methanol enters the body, it is metabolized to formaldehyde and then to formic acid. This can cause metabolic acidosis, a dangerous buildup of acid that can damage organs. Formic acid accumulates in the optic nerves and causes significant damage that can also lead to permanent blindness.
Symptoms
Symptoms of poisoning by ingestion may manifest as gastrointestinal irritation , with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, or as nervous system fatigue causing headache, dizziness and a feeling of intoxication. It can often lead to faster breathing, lower heart rates , kidney dysfunction, loss of consciousness, coma and death.
When methanol is inhaled, it can cause immediate dizziness, nausea, headache, and vomiting. This is followed by a period of no apparent symptoms, during which metabolic acidosis develops. Then the effects on the body appear, including problems .
When it comes into contact with the skin, it has the same effects on the body and the same vision problems. Prolonged skin exposure to methanol causes hair loss and irritation.
Antiseptics to avoid
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
- The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
The comments about methanol, made by Alexander Escamillo, a company spokesman, to the New York Times, were quite problematic, and he claimed that Eskbiochem never sent antiseptics for testing to the US agency. According to him, a person he described as a “middleman” registered the company and sent the samples. He even stressed that “they would never send toxic chemicals” and that he plans to take action against whoever did it.
The Food and Drug Administration said that “although everyone is at risk if they use the antiseptics in which methanol was found, young children who may accidentally swallow it and adults who use them as an alcohol substitute are at greatest risk.”
