How to Avoid Poisoning Risks While Using Hand Sanitizer

Date Posted: July 26, 2022

Hand sanitizers are fantastic alternatives when soap and water aren't accessible. However, how can you avoid poisoning risks? As families work to stop the spread of COVID-19, hand sanitizer has become ubiquitous. Unfortunately, this has led to an increase in accidental ingestions by children, who sometimes consume the germ-killing liquid, which can be fatal. Since ethyl alcohol is the primary active ingredient in hand sanitizers, even a small amount of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning or even death in children.

The alcohol concentration in hand sanitizers typically ranges from 40 to 95 percent, with most products containing more than 60 percent ethyl alcohol, which is a higher alcohol concentration than nearly all hard liquors. By contrast, beer contains 5 to 10 percent alcohol, while wine contains 10 to 15 percent alcohol.

Types of Alcohol in Hand Sanitizers

Many hand sanitizers contain alcohol or rubbing alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol, or isopropanol, isopropyl alcohol). Symptoms of alcohol poisoning, including loss of balance, sleepiness, low blood sugar, seizures, and coma, can be fatal.

Both children and adults have experienced poisoning after using hand sanitizers containing methanol (also known as wood alcohol, methyl alcohol, or methylated spirits). Products containing methanol have been recalled due to their toxicity if swallowed or used excessively on the skin. They can lead to nausea, headaches, blindness, nervous system damage, and even death. Another type of alcohol that should never be used in hand sanitizers is 1-propanol.

How Much Hand Sanitizer is Too Much?

A typical hand sanitizer pump dispenses about 2.5 mL of liquid. If an average 2-year-old weighing 15 kg (33 lbs) were to ingest one pump of a 62 percent ethanol-containing hand sanitizer, it would result in a blood alcohol level of 17.3 mg/dL, which is significantly below the toxic level of 80-100 mg/dL. To produce toxic effects requiring medical attention, the same child would need to consume approximately 4-5 pumps of the sanitizer. Clearly, more than just a lick of hand sanitizer would be necessary to cause significant toxic effects.

Tips to Prevent Harmful Exposure to Hand Sanitizers

1. Always Check the Label.

Before purchasing or using a hand sanitizer, check the label for a list of ingredients, warnings, and precautions. Manufacturers should include bitter-tasting additives to reduce the risk of children drinking hand sanitizers. This important step helps to keep kids from consuming the product.

2. Keep Hand Sanitizers Out of Children’s Reach.

Store hand sanitizers in the same cabinet as medications and other household products, ensuring they are out of sight and reach of children. Never leave hand sanitizer out after use. Once you’re done with it, put it away and out of sight.

3. Monitor Hand Sanitizer Usage.

Ensure that your child only uses hand sanitizer when an adult is present. When using hand sanitizer, apply a dime-sized amount to dry hands and rub them together until completely dry. Remind children to keep their hands away from their faces, especially their mouths. This is excellent practice for preventing both disease transmission and accidental ingestion of hand sanitizer.

4. Cultivate the Habit of Washing Hands.

Handwashing with soap and water is the most effective way to clean hands. This method removes most germs from the hands. Hand sanitizers should only be used when handwashing isn’t an option, such as when there’s no access to water or soap.

5. Dispose of Hand Sanitizers Properly.

Do not flush or pour recalled hand sanitizers down the drain. If possible, dispose of these products in hazardous waste containers. If you're unsure, contact your local waste management and recycling center.

6. Be Prepared for Accidental Poisoning.

Save the emergency number in your mobile phone and post it next to any landline phone and on babysitter instructions.

 

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