It’s been two months since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began recalls of hand sanitizers because certain products consist of methanol, also know as wood alcohol. Since then, more than 100 hand sanitizers have been recalled.
The biggest concerns with these products are accidental or intentional ingestion. Symptoms of exposure to 1-propanol include confusion, decreased consciousness, and slowed pulse and breathing. According to testing, 1-propanol is 2x to 4x as potent to the central nervous system as ethanol—or normal alcohol.
The introduction of 1-propanol is another way the FDA is warning consumers of the dangers of products on the market. The FDA has advised people to not use certain hand sanitizers that are manufactured in Mexico. For people wanting to continuously stay clean, the FDA and CDC recommend that you wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time.
Hand sanitizers became a great necessity throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic. With HawkScanner, Merchant Service Providers are able to easily look up if any ingredients like 1-propanol are included in any of the products they are selling.
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