Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a significant increase in the buying and manufacturing of hand sanitizers. This, as we know, led to a shortage, causing non-traditional manufacturers to start making more. From an economics standpoint, the demand of hand-sanitizer was high and the supply was low, this leads to desperate people willing to pay extremely high prices for an essential product. Companies monopolize on this and start producing this product, but some companies may not have the health of individuals in mind when making it. On August 12, 2020, the FDA released a statement urging individuals to stop buying hand sanitizer that contains 1-propanol, specifically hand sanitizer manufactured by Harmonic S de RL de MI in Mexico. These hand sanitizers have been labeled to contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, but have been tested positive for 1-propanol contamination.
In the statement from the FDA, it says that young children who accidentally ingest these products, and adolescents/adults who drink these products, are most at risk. Ingesting 1-propanol can cause depression to the central nervous system, potentially leading to death. Some symptoms of 1-propanol infection are: confusion, decreased consciousness, and slowed pulse/breathing. Studies performed on animals have shown that the depressant effects from 1-propanol are two to four times as potent as alcohol (ethanol). Skin or eye exposure can cause irritation, and in some cases allergic reactions.
In a study published in February, 2021 by Phillips, et al. discussing the impact of alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was stated that exposure to 1-propanol can cause severe acidosis and death. Their methods included using generic codes for alcohol-based hand sanitizers to characterize exposures reported to the Texas Poison Control Network in 2019 and 2020. For the cases in 2020, they identified cases considered COVID-19 -related cases where the individual reported exposure to an unknown alcohol-based hand sanitizer with safety concerns. What they found was that reported exposures to alcohol-based hand sanitizers increased 72.5% between 2019 and 2020, and in 2020, 10% were COVID-19 -related. The effects of dangerous chemicals, such as 1-propanol, were disproportionately seen in older individuals who claimed to be using a chronic amount of hand sanitizer because of COVID-19.
The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is by washing your hands with soap and water. However, if this is not available when needed, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol. The FDA continuously tested different hand-sanitizers in order to determine their safety and effectiveness. They have a DO-NOT-USE list that I recommend everybody look at to ensure that the hand-sanitizer they are using is safe. The only alcohol that should be in your hand sanitizer is ethyl alcohol (commonly known as ethanol or alcohol) and isopropyl (also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol).
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