Tag: safety tips

With the recent surge in demand for hand sanitizer, you may have been forced to deviate from your usual go-to choice and try some new brands. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies hand sanitizer as an over-the-counter drug, available without a prescription. Hand sanitizer is regulated because it’s used as a key step in protecting yourself against the spread of germs and viruses. 

On April 27, 2020, the FDA reported that there were now an additional 1,500 manufacturers of hand sanitizer registered. With this many new manufacturers coming into the game, it’s reasonable to assume that some companies are simply trying to capitalize on the increased demand and are potentially cutting corners to create new products. 

Because hand sanitizer can be a lifesaving product, especially in today’s time, it should not be made cheaply or insufficiently. 

Now more than ever, it’s important to pay attention to your hand sanitizer’s ingredient list and make sure you’re choosing the best one. 

These are five things you should be looking for in a hand sanitizer.

Methanol

Methanol is something you DON’T want to see on the ingredient list of any hand sanitizer. Methanol is toxic alcohol, sometimes referred to as “wood alcohol.” It’s commonly used as rocket fuel and antifreeze. Methanol is also an ingredient used as feedstock (i.e., raw material to supply or fuel a machine or industrial process) in products like adhesives and foams. Despite its name, this is definitely not something meant for human ingestion. 

When absorbed through the skin, methanol can produce negative effects such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches. The adverse effects of methanol are worsened if swallowed; seizures, blindness, damage to the nervous system, permanent blindness, and even death. 

In July of 2020, the FDA recalled several hand sanitization products that contained even trace amounts of methanol. The FDA urges consumers to check the ingredient list of sanitizers that they already have and dispose of any that contain this toxic ingredient. Going forward, they also highly recommend that consumers be cautious and always check the labels of hand sanitizers before purchasing. 

Discard any products that contain methanol as an ingredient, even in the lowest doses. 

1-Propanol

1-Propanol or 1-propyl alcohol is another alcohol found in some hand sanitizers and is also toxic for humans. It’s commonly used as a solvent or an ingredient in other solvents to create cleaning products. Swallowing 1-propanol can lead to decreased breathing and heart rate, lack of coordination and reflexes, hypotension, and in severe cases, death. When used in a hand sanitizer, it will likely irritate your skin and cause some type of reaction. 

It’s important to read labels of sanitization products before buying them. Look for the FDA approval symbol or the absence of ingredients such as 1-propanol or methanol. 

Ethyl Alcohol

Ethyl alcohol (also known as ethanol or alcohol) is one of the only two types of alcohol acceptable for use in hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective for killing germs and bacteria. If ethyl alcohol is the only alcohol listed as an active ingredient, make sure it is at a level of at least 60%. 

Ethyl alcohol is safe when used as directed but can still be harmful and lead to alcohol poisoning if a person swallows multiple mouthfuls. Store your hand sanitizer out of reach of young children to avoid accidents. 

Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol) is the only other alcohol type that should be found in hand sanitizers. Some sanitizers use a combination of alcohols; if isopropyl is the only active ingredient listed, it should be at least 60%. 

Moisturizer

The high content of alcohol in hand sanitizers can cause the skin to become irritated and dry. With frequent usage, hands commonly become chapped. 

In the process of killing germs and bacteria, alcohol also has the effect of stripping away our skin’s natural oils; this is what leads to hands feeling uncomfortably dry and cracked. Some hand sanitizers are infused with natural moisturizers to help counter this. 

Look for sanitizers with natural moisturizers such as aloe vera or coconut oil. With something like hand sanitizer that can be harsh on the skin, you’ll want to be countering this by using all-natural products that will work to repair your skin at the same time. GreenGoo is a company that uses plant-based ingredients focused on maximum hydration, effectiveness, and comfort. The company’s Aloe Shea hand sanitizer is 70% ethyl alcohol, meaning you can safely rely on it to kill any germs or bacteria quickly and effectively. GreenGoo is also donating a portion of sales from their hand sanitizers to a different local charity every month for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hand Sanitizer vs. Washing Your Hands

While using hand sanitizer is commonly thought of as interchangeable with traditional hand washing, there are important differences you should know.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that when the option is available, people should choose to wash their hands with soap and water instead of using hand sanitizer. This is because traditional hand washing can kill all kinds of germs, and while sanitizers can reduce the number of microbes on your hand, they can’t necessarily kill all of the germs.

Hand sanitizer is effective at removing germs after hands have been touching dirty surfaces. However, if hands are heavily soiled or greasy, like after playing sports or doing yard work, sanitizer may not be strong enough to kill all bacteria. With any heavy buildup of grease or dirt, try to wash your hands with soap and water instead of using sanitizer. 

Traditional handwashing is also favored if hands have come into contact with harmful chemicals like pesticides or heavy metals. It may be surprising, but soap and water will be more effective at removing chemicals than hand sanitizer.  

Did you know it’s possible to overuse hand sanitizer? Using alcohol-based sanitizers too often can result in germs becoming resistant to the formula. This means that using the sanitizer would no longer be as effective. Using hand sanitizer is a great part of your personal hygiene routine, but as with everything, moderation is best.

Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer?

Non-alcohol sanitizers are sometimes preferred because they are just as efficient and avoid any health or safety concerns. Non-alcohol formulas are CDC approved and are considered safer than alcohol sanitizers for a few reasons:

• Avoiding the risk of ingestion of alcohol for young children
• No posed risk from flammability
• Repeated use of a product containing alcohol is likely to lead to skin irritation 

The difference in alcohol vs. non-alcohol cleaners’ effectiveness is as small as 0.009%, making it practically dismissible. 

Why Do Some Hand Sanitizers Smell So Bad?

With the almost instantaneous spike in demand for hand sanitizers, several companies decided to start creating their own sanitizer to help close the demand gap and capitalize on this consumer need. 

If you recently used a sanitizer that smelled like stinky tequila or rotten food, it’s probably because it was made with denatured ethanol instead of industry-standard ethyl alcohol. Denatured ethanol is notably cheaper to produce, making it an appealing alternative for companies trying to break into this product sector. More relevant to the smell aspect, denatured ethanol lacks the carbon filtration that ethyl alcohol goes through; the filtration removes the unpleasant odor. To further add to the stink, these cheaper production processes usually entail a concoction of other, just as cheap, questionable chemicals. 

It’s best to stay away from low-quality hand sanitizers.

How to…

Wash your hands

• Wet hands.
• Lather hands with soap and rub them together for at least 20-30 seconds. Singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice is believed to be the perfect length of time for a thorough hand wash.
• Be sure to rub the backs of your hands, in between your fingers, and along your fingertips. 
• Rinse hands under running water to remove all of the soap.
• Either air dry or wipe hands dry with a clean towel.

Use hand sanitizer

• Ensure the sanitizer you are using contains at least 60% alcohol and is free from methanol and 1-propanol.
• Apply enough hand sanitizer to cover the entire surface area of your hands. Usually, a nickel or quarter-sized amount is appropriate. 
• Rub hands together and be sure to rub the backs of your hands, in between your fingers, and along your fingertips.
• Do not wipe off excess sanitizer onto a surface – this could be counteractive to cleaning your hands and may hinder the sanitizer’s ability to kill germs. 

Follow these rules, use a high-quality hand sanitizer, and always practice good hygiene for a healthier, safer life!