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  by pltm
• Jun 29, 2020
• 1

(PLTM) - The Ministry of Health and Social Development is advising the public not to purchase and use hand sanitisers manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico.

In a press release, the Ministry stated that health advisory is due to the potential presence of methanol which the United States Food Drug Administration (FDA) has warned can be “toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested”.

The US FDA has also identified nine hand sanitisers from this company that should not be used. They have reported that samples tested resulted in some containing various proportions of methanol, and no ethyl alcohol, the typical recommended ingredient.

Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Gracia Wheatley Smith stated that the first choice should be for persons to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing of the nose.

Mrs. Wheatley Smith added, “If soap and water are not readily available, the ministry advises that an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 percent ethanol alcohol should be used. We need to also be reminded to read the labels to clarify that the alcohol in alcohol based hand sanitiser is ethyl alcohol.”

The US FDA has warned, “Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitisers and should not be used due to its toxic effects”. Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source.

Exposure to methanol can result in poisoning. Anyone who has used any of these hand sanitisers should seek medical treatment to reverse any of the toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

Substantial methanol exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizure, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

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