When the Coronavirus Pandemic began, hand sanitizer was selling out in stores throughout the country. Name brand sanitizers like Purell could not keep up with the newly increased demand, leaving stores empty shelved and customers empty handed. Some people even purchased excessive amounts of hand sanitizer, only to sell it at marked up prices and make a profit.
The increased demand resulted in companies scrambling to create their own sanitizer, or partner with a company that could produce sanitizer. A boom of new hand sanitizer brands ensued; each made a little bit differently. The demand rushed production of these new sanitizers without allowing for proper testing and FDA approval.
Some were liquid sanitizers with higher alcohol percentages, and some were gel and had lower alcohol percentage, making it is less effective. Some sanitizers smelled like alcohol and even came in plastic liquor bottles as hand sanitizer bottles were in short supply too.
The FDA is now warning consumers to avoid several questionable brands of hand sanitizer, some even sold by major retailers like Walmart. Wood alcohol, better known as methanol, was found in some samples of sanitizers. Methanol can be fatal when ingested and can lead to methanol poisoning when applied to the skin. The FDA recently reported cases in which children and adults have been blinded, hospitalized, or even died after ingesting methanol-based sanitizers.
To make sure the hand sanitizer you are using is safe, the CDC recommends alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. These new warnings are sure to increase the demand on alcohol-based sanitizers so be sure to stock up while you can.
Novum’s Instant Erase Liquid Hand Sanitizer is an alcohol-based (80%) sanitizer and is FDA approved! Give us a call today to order your sanitizer and ensure your staff and your patients stay safe and healthy. (800) 274-2742.