It is almost two months ago that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began recalling hand sanitizers because certain products contained methanol, also called wood alcohol. Since then, more than 100 sanitizers have been recalled by hand.
The FDA on Wednesday announced another toxin that can be as deadly as methanol. This toxin is called 1-propanol, which can depress the central nervous system. The FDA stated that some products are labeled to contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, but have tested positive for 1-propanol contamination.
“The agency asks consumers not to use these 1-propanol-contaminated products and has expanded its do-not-use list of hand replacements … that is or may be contaminated with 1-propanol, in addition to other hand sanitizers the agency requires consumers not to use, “the FDA said in a statement.
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Consumers who have products on the non-use list, or potentially have methanol as 1-propanol, should stop using them immediately and dispose of them via a hazardous waste container. The agency advises them not to wash while washing.
The FDA said the biggest problems with the products are young children who accidentally ingest the toxin, as well as adults and adolescents who drink it as a substitute for alcohol. In animal tests, 1-propanol is 2 to 4 times as potent for the central nervous system as ethanol – as normal alcohol.
Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP via Getty Images
Symptoms of exposure to 1-propanol include confusion, decreased consciousness, and slow pulse and breathing. Anyone who has come in contact with a product that contains 1-propanol and is beginning to feel any of these symptoms should seek immediate care to treat potential 1-propanol poisoning.
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Although hand sanitizer is often recommended to help keep your hands clean when you are in public – or even in your home – many of them have been discovered to have methanol, which can be toxic if contained in ‘ the skin absorbed or infiltrated by skin. The introduction of 1-propanol is another way in which the FDA warns consumers about the dangers of products on the market.
For people who want to stay clean continuously, the FDA and CDC recommend washing your hands for at least two seconds with soap and water – if necessary, or several times a day – and to practice good hygiene. Hand sanitizers are recommended in public, as long as the product contains at least 60 percent ethanol.
The FDA has advised people not to use certain hand sanitizers that are manufactured in Mexico.
Hand sanitizers became a hot commodity because spread of COVID-19 during the global pandemic led to fears, shutdowns and more awareness of cleanliness.
“FDA continues to wait and will continue to take action if quality issues arise with handpieces,” it said. “In addition, the agency is making false and misleading claims for hand sanitizers, for example that they can provide longer protection such as 24-hour protection against viruses including COVID-19, as there is no evidence to support these claims.”
Here is a list of hand sanitizers that the FDA says not to use:
|
Product (s) |
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All-Clean Hand Sanitizer |
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Andy’s |
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Andy his best |
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Insure Aloe |
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Insure Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Aloe and Moisturizers |
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Insure Instant Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E and Aloe |
|
Insured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Aloe and Moisturizers) |
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Insured Instant Hand Sanitizer (Vitamin E and Aloe) |
|
Insure Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe and moisturizers |
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Ensure Instant Hand Sanitizer Vitamin E and Aloe |
|
Be Safe Hand Sanitizer |
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Bersih antiseptic alcohol 70% topical solution hand change |
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Bersih Hand Sanitizer Gel Fragrance Free |
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bio aaa Advance Hand Sanitizer |
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BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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FLOWERS Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe |
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Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Aloe, with 70% alcohol |
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BLUMEN Advanced Hand Sanitizer Clear |
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Blumen Advanced Hand Sanitizer Lavender, with 70% alcohol |
|
BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear |
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BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear |
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Blumen Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Clear Ethyl Alcohol 70% |
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BLUMEN Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender |
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BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 alcohol |
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BLUMEN Aloe Advanced Hand Sanitizer, with 70 alcohol |
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Flower Antibacterial fresh citrus hand sanitizer |
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BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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BLUMEN Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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Blumen Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% alcohol |
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BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer |
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BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe |
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BLUMEN Clear Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Lavender |
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BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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BLUMEN Clear LEAR Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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Blumen Hand Sanitizer Fresh Citrus |
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FLOWERS Instant Hand Sanitizer Aloe Vera |
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BLUMEN Instant Hand Sanitizer Fragrance Free |
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Berne Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 65% alcohol |
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Berne Basic. Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer 70% alcohol |
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Britz Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 70% |
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Cavalry |
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CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% alcohol |
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CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% alcohol |
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CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% alcohol |
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Cleaner Hand Sanitizer Rinse free 70% |
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Clear Advanced Hand Sanitizer with 70% alcohol extra soft with glycerin and aloe |
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DAESI Hand Sanitizer |
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Earths features Instant Unscented Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera Advanced |
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ENLIVEN Hand Sanitizing Gel |
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Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer |
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GelBact Hand Sanitizer |
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Hand disinfectant |
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Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare |
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Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% ethyl alcohol |
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Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant Gel 70% ethyl alcohol rinse Free Hand rub |
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Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 70% |
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Hand sanitizer Gel Uncentcent 70% alcohol |
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Handzer Hand Sanitizer Flush free |
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Hello Kitty Hand Sanitizer |
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Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% alcohol |
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Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% alcohol |
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Herbacil Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer 70% alcohol |
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Jaloma Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 62% with Vitamin E. |
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READY AND DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer |
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READY and DANVER Instant Hand Sanitizer |
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Clean Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Advanced |
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Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer |
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Leiper’s Fork Distillery bulk disinfectant per 5 gallon in Leiper’s Fork Distillery 16 oz bottle |
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LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 16 oz |
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LumiSkin Advance Hand Sanitizer 4 oz |
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Lux Eoi Hand Sanitizing Gel |
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Medicare alcohol antiseptic topical solution |
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Instesa Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizers and Aloe Vera |
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Instesa antiseptic hand sanitizer with moisturizers and vitamin E. |
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MODESA Instant Hand Sanitizer Moisturizers and Vitamin E. |
|
Mystic Shield Protection Hand Processor |
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NeoNatural |
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NEXT Hand Sanitizer |
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NuuxSan Instant Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer |
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NuuxSan Instant Hand Sanitizer |
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Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer |
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Optimus Instant Hand Sanitizer |
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Optimus Lubricants Instant Hand Sanitizer |
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Parabola Hand Sanitizer |
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Plus Advanced |
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Purity Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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QualitaMed Hand Sanitizer |
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Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer |
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Sayab Antisepctic Hand Sanitizer 100 |
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Odor Theory – Keep it clean – Pure clean anti-bacterial hand sanitizer |
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Odor Theory – Keep it clean – Pure clean anti-bacterial hand sanitizer |
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Selecto Hand Sanitizer |
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Clean and clean sanitizer for hands |
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The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer |
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The Honeykeeper Hand Sanitizer |
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TriCleanz |
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TriCleanz Tritanium Labs Hand Sanitizer |
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Urban Bath and Body Hand Sanitizer |
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Vidanos Easy Cleaning Rental Hand Sanitizer Agavespa Skincare |
|
Wave Hand Sanitizer Gel |
The FDA encourages healthcare professionals, consumers and patients to experience reports of unusual events as well as quality issues using hand sanitizers to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (provide the agency with as much information as possible to identify the product) .
