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We all get e-mails warning us of deadly computer viruses, how to get hundreds of dollars from Bill Gates by forwarding a message, or requesting help to find a lost child. Many are scams and anyone can be fooled. To check the validity of an email before forwarding, especially those more sensational ones, it’s good to check with a reliable source. Snopes.com is one of those sources.
Therefore, this morning when a rather outrageous e-mail showed up that couldn’t be ignored, it was more concerning when Snopes.com said it was true.
The story is about small children ingesting hand sanitizer, then appearing to be intoxicated and rushed to the Emergency room. These incidents appear to be rare cases and are alarming to read. Hundreds of children take part in programs requiring hand sanitizers. What if they lick their hands afterward?
What are the facts?
Before you throw away your hand sanitizer based on an email warning, please read the comments of Frank LoVecchio, DO, MPH, FACEP, of the Banner Poison Control Center in Arizona.
“The Banner Poison Control Center receives 110,000 calls per year. Quite a number deal with the issue of hand sanitizer. Kids can ingest it, but poisoning doesn’t occur from licking their fingers after using sanitizer in the appropriate way.
“Sanitizer is made with isopropyl alcohol, which if ingested is more likely to cause nausea, vomiting and bleeding. Alcoholic beverages contain another type of alcohol that is 60-70 proof. The isopropyl alcohol in hand sanitizers is 120-140 proof alcohol and more inebriating.
“Kids have been known to eat the sanitizer, typically unintentionally. If this occurs, it’s best to call the local poison center hotline with questions and concerns. Staff is available 24/7 at 800-222-1222."
Should you discontinue using hand sanitizer?
With normal usage, it is more effective at killing germs and easy to carry on outings with children. As long as child access to sanitizer is monitored, like parents do with any substance that is not intended for ingestion, there is no worry. Children’s fingers are often in their mouths a great deal of the time and after sanitizer has dried, parents should not be worried, according to the poison control center.
Major thanks to Dr. Frank LoVecchio and Craig Fischer of the Banner Poison Control Center for taking the time to answer questions. In addition, thanks to all the staff of the center providing this critical service for the safety of everyone. Fantastic job!
For more info:
99 Reasons to Use Purell
Comments
Thanks for writing that article Sue. That's important information to pass along.
1. US Center for Poison Control issued a report in 2007 indicating 12,000 cases of 'alcohol poisoning' in kids 6 and under were attributed to alcohol hand sanitizer
2. Yes, only 486 of those incidences required medical treatment
3. Can kids really be expected to conform to 'normal usage'?? You try licking a glob of Purell off of your hands to see what happens.
4. Oh...did anyone consider the fact that many facilities ban alcohol hand sanitizer because it destroys industrial floor wax and presents flash point risk? This is what we want to put in hands??
5. Exactly why more than several companies manufacture alcohol-free hand sanitizers--most contain the exact same ingredient as Bactine and J&J BandAid Brand Foaming antiseptic.
6. And exactly why at least four federal government agencies and hundreds of schools throughout the country have prohibited alcohol sanitizers and are using non-alcohol products.
www.handhygienefacts.blogspot.com
drstu
"As long as child access to sanitizer is monitored, like parents do with any substance that is not intended for ingestion, there is no worry." IMO, this is a matter of parents and care givers being responsible.
Sue
AFE
Torie,
We appreciate the uses of sanitizers in a zoo settings with thousands of children, after touching reptiles. To my knowledge, with our monitoring of hand sanitizer dispensing, there was never a problem.
Sue,
AFE
You don't need sanitizer for this: I tried this great program with my kids called Germy Wormy Germ Smart. It helped even my 3 year old understand how germs spread and how to NOT spread germs. It was so much fun, and it was amazing how quickly they learned healthier hygiene habits!
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