More than six months into the coronavirus pandemic, Americans are still relying on the use of face masks and hand sanitizer to keep them safe and healthy. In the early weeks and months of the virus, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the use of alcohol-based sanitizer, the liquid was difficult to find. Soon, the market responded with dozens of new brands and choices for consumers.

However, with all these different types of hand sanitizers claiming to protect people, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is cracking down on companies and manufacturers putting dangerous products on the shelves. Certain hand sanitizers have caused injuries and deaths across the country, leading the FDA to put out an ever-growing list of warnings and recalls.

What hand sanitizer brands are recalled?

Because these recalls continue to increase, there is a chance some are still on store shelves, in stock with online retailers, or even in your own home. The FDA maintains a current list of recalled brands. Many of these brands were sold at Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

If you do have a recalled brand, the FDA recommends to stop using it immediately. To dispose of it, throw it away in a hazardous waste container, if possible. Do not flush, pour it down the drain, or mix with other substances. Here is more information on disposing of hazardous waste in Sevierville.

What makes the recalled hand sanitizers dangerous?

The toxic substance in the FDA’s list of “do not use” hand sanitizers is called methanol, also called wood alcohol, and 1-propanol. The only acceptable alcohols in hand sanitizers are ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol (also known as 2-propanol). Many of the sanitizers on the FDA list were mislabeled as containing ethyl alcohol when they actually contained methanol.

Methanol is a volatile substance typically used as a pesticide, solvent, or alternative fuel. Prolonged exposure can lead to nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, nervous system damage, or death.

When absorbed through the skin, methanol can be toxic and cause blindness. If ingested, it can be lethal. Anyone can suffer injury from tainted hand sanitizer, although some segments of the population may be more susceptible to methanol poisoning. Notes the FDA, “Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning.”

Other hand sanitizers are on the recall list because:

• They do not have the required amount of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol to be effective
• Manufacturers falsely claim their product prevents the spread of COVID-19
• Manufacturers claim their product is FDA-approved (no hand sanitizers are approved by the FDA)
• They are packaged to look like drinks, candy, or other consumables

Consumers are encouraged to report adverse effects from hand sanitizers, or any medical product, with the FDA’s Safety & Adverse Event Reporting Program.

If you or a loved one experienced an injury after using toxic hand sanitizer, the product liability attorneys at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC can help. We are happy to talk about what happened and determine the details of your case. Call us today at 865-428-8780 or complete our contact form. We serve clients in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Seymour, Gatlinburg, and the surrounding areas in Tennessee.