Chemical and Microbial Testing Laboratory

Huntington Beach, CA, August 5^th, 2020

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently advised consumers to not use any hand sanitizers manufactured by a specific company in Mexico. The agency’s notice was due to the potential presence of methanol in the products. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested.

The FDA warned the following in the advisory:
Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning.

The announcement came after FDA testing of several of the hand sanitizers. One product was found to contain as much as 81% methanol. The discovery prompted the agency to recommend consumers not use any of the nine hand sanitizer products made by the firm.

"Hand sanitizers should never be made with methanol due to its toxic effects,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Consumers have been told to stop using these specific products and to dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers.”

LA Testing can test products for chemicals and microbial contaminants. With multiple facilities across California, LA Testing provides rapid testing services to protect consumers and to help prevent costly product recalls.

To learn more about this or other consumer product testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.  

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: : AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.