Mason Delacroix
Hand sanitizers are a convenient alternative to hand soap when you don't have access to soap and water. However, it is important to ensure that your hand sanitizer is effective and safe to use. To be effective, hand sanitizers should contain between 60-80% alcohol, typically ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Some hand sanitizers may contain methanol (wood alcohol), which is toxic and can be dangerous when absorbed through the skin or ingested. To identify if your hand sanitizer is safe, you can check for stickiness, as non-sticky sanitizers often indicate a sufficient alcohol content. Additionally, you can refer to the FDA's list of potentially toxic hand sanitizers and avoid products from unknown brands, especially those manufactured in Mexico, where many toxic hand sanitizers have originated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol content | Should be at least 60% |
| Stickiness | Avoid sticky hand sanitisers |
| Country of origin | Avoid products made in Mexico |
| Ingredients | Avoid methanol/wood alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Hand sanitiser should contain 60-80% alcohol
Hand sanitisers are a great alternative when soap and water are not available. However, for hand sanitiser to be effective, it must contain between 60% to 80% alcohol. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content. The CDC also recommends that you should always opt for soap and water if available, as it is more effective at removing certain kinds of germs like norovirus, Cryptosporidium, and Clostridioides difficile, as well as chemicals.
The main ingredient in hand sanitiser should be at least 60% ethanol (ethyl alcohol). It is important to note that there have been cases of hand sanitisers being labelled as ethanol but actually containing methanol, which is toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled several hand sanitisers due to methanol contamination. To avoid such products, it is recommended to check the country of origin, as many of the toxic hand sanitisers were made in Mexico.
You can also test your hand sanitiser at home by checking its texture. Avoid sanitisers that feel sticky, as this may indicate an insufficient amount of alcohol in the formula.
In summary, hand sanitisers should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective, but always opt for soap and water if available, as they are more effective at removing certain types of germs. Be cautious of hand sanitiser products that may contain toxic ingredients, and always check the label and country of origin to make an informed choice.
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Sticky sanitiser may indicate low alcohol content
To prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrhoeal infections, it is important to maintain good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water. When soap and water are not readily available, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content.
Hand sanitisers with sufficient alcohol content are effective at killing 99% of bacteria and germs. However, it is important to note that the formulation of hand sanitisers can vary, and some may be too runny or sticky, affecting their antimicrobial activity.
Sticky hand sanitiser may indicate low alcohol content. Erin Turner, Director of Campaigns at CHOICE, a consumer advocacy group in Australia, advises consumers to "avoid sanitiser that feels sticky, as this is a sign that the product may not have enough alcohol in its formula." CHOICE conducted a spot-check on a hand sanitiser with a low alcohol content of 23%, which was subsequently withdrawn from sale.
To ensure the effectiveness of hand sanitiser, it should contain between 60% and 80% alcohol. While non-alcohol sanitisers are a viable alternative, providing longer-lasting protection and being kinder to the skin, there is currently no conclusive evidence that they are effective against COVID-19.
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Ethanol is a common alcohol ingredient
While handwashing with soap and water is the preferred method for maintaining hand hygiene, hand sanitizers are a convenient alternative when soap and water are unavailable. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended by the CDC and typically contain ethanol, isopropanol, or n-propanol. These sanitizers are effective against a wide range of microorganisms but not spores.
The concentration of ethanol in hand sanitizers is crucial for effectiveness. The CDC recommends that hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol, with concentrations ranging from 60% to 95% being the most effective. Sanitizers with lower alcohol concentrations may not be as effective in killing germs.
To identify if a hand soap contains alcohol, you can look for ingredients such as ethanol, isopropanol, or n-propanol on the product label. Additionally, you can observe the texture of the sanitizer; if it feels sticky, it may indicate an insufficient amount of alcohol in the formula.
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Avoid methanol, a toxic wood alcohol
It is important to avoid methanol, a toxic wood alcohol. Methanol is an organic chemical compound and is the simplest aliphatic alcohol. It has the chemical formula CH3OH (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group). It is a colourless, flammable liquid with an alcoholic odour similar to ethanol.
Methanol is toxic and can be fatal. It acts as a central nervous system depressant in the same way as ethanol poisoning. It is also metabolised to formic acid via formaldehyde in a process initiated by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver. The formaldehyde and formic acid are toxic metabolites that cause symptoms of methanol poisoning. These symptoms include an altered or decreased level of consciousness, poor or no coordination, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a specific smell on the breath. Ingesting as little as 10ml of pure methanol can cause permanent blindness.
Methanol is a natural by-product of wood distillation, an older method of producing drinking alcohol (ethanol). It is also used as an industrial solvent in products like paint remover, cleansing agents, and antifreeze. Methanol ingestion usually occurs accidentally, but it can also happen when alcoholics are unable to obtain beverage ethanol. It is important to note that ethanol is a natural antidote to methanol poisoning.
To avoid methanol poisoning, do not ingest any products containing methanol and seek immediate medical attention if you suspect exposure. It is also important to use proper ventilation when working with methanol-containing products and to avoid skin contact or inhalation of fumes.
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Consult the FDA's list of toxic hand sanitisers
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified dozens of hand sanitiser brands containing methanol, which can be toxic when applied to the skin or ingested. The FDA has released an extensive and growing list of toxic hand sanitiser products to avoid. This list is available online and is continually updated with new products as they are discovered.
The FDA urges consumers to stop using any hand sanitiser product containing methanol and to dispose of them in appropriate hazardous waste containers. It is important to note that methanol is sometimes listed as wood alcohol, methyl alcohol, or 1-propanol on hand sanitiser labels. The FDA advises that hand sanitisers contaminated with methanol should never be rubbed on the skin or swallowed, as this can lead to serious health issues, including permanent blindness and death.
The FDA's list of toxic hand sanitisers is a valuable resource for consumers to ensure they are using safe and effective hand sanitiser products. This list is particularly important as the hand sanitiser market has seen a sharp increase in products falsely labelled as containing ethanol (ethyl alcohol) but instead containing toxic methanol. The FDA also warns that some hand sanitiser products may have lower levels of active ingredients than listed on their labels, making this list an essential tool for consumers to make informed choices.
By regularly consulting the FDA's list, consumers can identify hand sanitiser products to avoid and take appropriate action if they have been exposed to toxic hand sanitisers. This proactive approach can help prevent adverse health effects and ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and their families.
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Frequently asked questions
To be effective, hand sanitiser must contain between 60% and 80% alcohol.
Avoid sanitisers that feel sticky, as this is a sign that the product may not have enough alcohol in its formula. You can also check the country of origin; many toxic hand sanitisers were made in Mexico.
Hand sanitiser should be used when soap and water are not readily available. It is important to note that soap and water are more effective than hand sanitisers at removing certain kinds of germs like norovirus, Cryptosporidium, and Clostridioides difficile, as well as chemicals.
