hand sanitizer causeing alochol poisoning
By nicolecab
@nicolecab (923)
United States
May 25, 2007 8:51am CST
I did not know this untill yesterday when my sister in law sent me this e-mail and I was totaly shocked. The thought of ingesting hand sanitizer never crossed my mind. The alcohol content is high like 62 percent and can cause them to become intoxicated. but the danger of alochol poisoning it oly takes one ounce (which is about three squirts) can be fatel to infants and toddlers.
story and verificaton at: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp
What do you think about this? Can you believe it?
3 people like this
7 responses
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
9 Jun 07
Actually, I received an email about this today. I never really considered this problem before. If there is validity to this claim then it is a problem which really needs to be addressed. The more people which know about it the better as a place to start.
cheers,
@nicolecab (923)
• United States
18 Jun 07
well, there have been a number of children reported to haveing gotten intoxicated by inhaleing it so I guess there is some truth behind it.
@Tenerifelynn (575)
•
26 May 07
This is scarey to read. I use it a lot especially when I have to visit the hospital for the many appointments I have as they insist it is used to prevent the MRSA as they speak
will have to print this one out and show your finds to the DRs over there, the next time I go.
Lynn-Marie
1 person likes this
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
26 May 07
Well thanks for letting me know that. This is the first I have heard about this. Scary thing is, we use the hand sanitizer in every bathroom. I even have one in my daughters bathroom. I think I might be taking it out now. I don't want to take any chances. Thanks again!
1 person likes this
@nicolecab (923)
• United States
6 Jun 07
Your welcome!! Yes I got rid of all of mine as well. Better to be safe than be sorry with child laying in the hospital!!
@mrbranan (1012)
• United States
25 May 07
I don't know if anyone know this but I work in the special ED department in school and I believe it or not we use the hand sanitizer for cleaning the dry eraseboard, cd, and dvd's. It works great on them so you have to believe it may be to strong for some kids.
@nicolecab (923)
• United States
5 Jun 07
yes, it is very strong when you use a large amount. Alot of the schools are pulling it totally and will no longer use it at all around here.
@australianpiggy (24)
• Philippines
26 May 07
So, if the sanitizer is already been used, or already been applied in the hands and accidentally been licked when eating, can it still cause poisoning? it's scary in that case.
1 person likes this
@nicolecab (923)
• United States
26 May 07
yes, i have done some futher research on this and I have found that if it is licked or gets into the mouth (expecially if it is still wet on the hands) the effects come much faster and much worse because then the acohol gets into the blood stream and it will travel very fast even in a two year old due to their small bodies.
@stephanie78 (122)
• United States
25 May 07
I was just wondering as well, if they use it right before they eat, and then eat I wonder if they can injest it that way as well. Schools do serve a lot of finger foods. I don't know maybe it's just me being a little paranoid. LOL!
1 person likes this
@nicolecab (923)
• United States
25 May 07
I would think that the effects would be much worse if it actually got through their blood stream by eating it or by it even getting on their food. If they are useing their hands to eat and bring thier hands that close to their face I am sure that they will injest it. Your best bet is to tell them not to use it at all and stick to soap and water. I know I will be from now on. I would also print that article and bring it to their teacher so that she can be aware of it also. She can then look out for the children or pull it out of her classroom all together.
