Washington Poison Center warns about the dangers of some alcohol-based hand sanitizer

The Washington Poison Center is warning the public about some alcohol-based hand sanitizer that could be dangerous.

Officials said the sanitizer was made in Mexico and was found to contain a significant amount of methanol, which is also known as wood alcohol.

“Due to its toxic effects, methanol is not an accepted ingredient in hand sanitizers, and is dangerous to use,” the poison center said in a release. “Recent updates from the FDA report adverse events among adults and children exposed to contaminated hand sanitizer products, including blindness, hospitalizations and death.”

Methonol poisoning can happen from repeated use on the skin, and the highest risk is from ingesting the product.

Some of the signs and symptoms the poison center listed were blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, loss of coordination, decreased alertness, decreased visual acuity and blindness.

Methanol poisoning requires treatment with a specific antidote and/or hemodialysis, according to officials.

People should call the Washington Poison Center if they experience symptoms at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information, click here. 

Cox Media Group