Hand Sanitizer - Safety

Safety

Alcohol gel can catch fire, producing a translucent blue flame. This is due to the flammable alcohol in the gel. Some hand sanitizer gels may not produce this effect due to a high concentration of water or moisturizing agents. There have been some rare instances where alcohol has been implicated in starting fires in the operating room, including a case where alcohol used as an antiseptic pooled under the surgical drapes in an operating room and caused a fire when a cautery instrument was used. Alcohol gel was not implicated. To minimize the risk of fire, alcohol rub users are instructed to rub their hands until dry, which indicates that the flammable alcohol has evaporated. Fire departments suggest refills for the alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be stored with cleaning supplies away from heat sources or open flames.

The US FDA controls antimicrobial handsoaps and sanitizers as over-the-counter drugs because they are intended for topical anti-microbial use to prevent disease in humans. The FDA requires strict labeling which informs consumers as to proper use of this OTC drug and dangers to avoid, including warning adults not to ingest, not to use in the eyes, to keep out of the reach of children, and to allow children to use only under adult supervision. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there were nearly 12,000 cases of hand sanitizer ingestion in 2006. If ingested, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning in small children. Despite widespread stories or rumors circulating regarding deaths or violent illnesses from ingestion, there is no evidence to support such claims. However, the Centers for Disease Control recommends using hand sanitizer with children to promote good hygiene, under supervision, and furthermore recommends parents pack hand sanitizer for their children when traveling, to avoid their contracting disease from dirty hands. Isopropanol, a moderate health risk, is found in some sanitizers.

There have been cases reported of people drinking the gel (with mixers) in prisons and hospitals to become intoxicated leading to its withdrawal from some establishments.