Hand sanitizers from a cleaning company based in South Dakota are being recalled after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered the presence of methanol during testing.
Jarman’s Midwest Cleaning Systems has, so far, not received any reports of adverse events related to these products, which were packaged in 1-gallon clear or white plastic bottles.
Above-normal exposure to methanol will result in “nausea, vomiting, headache blurred vision, coma, seizures, permanent blindness, permanent damage to the central nervous system, or death,” said the announcement. The biggest dangers are for young children who accidentally ingest the products or adults who drink the solution as an alcohol substitute.
Both the company’s products are “used as hand sanitizers and marketed to help decrease bacteria on the skin when soap and water are not available.”
The company has informed distributors of the recall procedures. Customers can dispose of the material in accordance with local ordinances, or contact Jarman’s Midwest Cleaning Systems, Inc. for returns at 1-800-288-0741 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm Central Time or email [email protected].
Dangers of Excessive Hand Sanitizer Use
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of hand sanitizers has grown significantly. People use them in homes, schools, schools, private gatherings, and in public places. However, using hand sanitizers excessively can be detrimental to health, with multiple side effects. It mostly depends on the solution formula and the amount of alcohol.“It is important to keep in mind that the efficacy of alcohol hand sanitizers depends on the type of alcohol, the quantity applied, the technique used, and the consistency of use. There are also situations where these products are not ideal, for example, in preventing the spread of certain alcohol-resistant infections or when hands are significantly soiled, and the bacterial load is too high,” said a study updated in 2022 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Although alcohols are considered safer than detergents, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are associated with a variety of skin reactions like dryness, itching, irritation, pruritus, and skin cracking. “Similarly, allergic contact dermatitis can also vary from mild to severe symptoms and may sometimes be accompanied by respiratory distress.”
“Even though less widely reported, contact urticaria syndrome has also been associated with alcohol sanitizer use. It presents as swelling, redness, burning sensation, tingling, and/or itching within minutes (up to an hour) after applying alcohol,” said the study.
The alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS) have also been shown to be less effective than soap and water against certain pathogens. “One study even found an association between the use of ABHS for routine hand hygiene and an increased risk of outbreaks of norovirus.”
Besides this, hand sanitizers have been shown to trigger eczema breakouts, impact hormones, and may contribute to antibiotic resistance.
As with most things, usage in moderation will not lead to excess reactions in a majority of cases, unless the affected individual is particularly sensitive or allergic. Hand sanitizers are considered over-the-counter drugs by the FDA.
