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Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine
Serious Adverse Health Events, Including Death, Associated with Ingesting Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol — Arizona and New Mexico, May–June 2020
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Paper Summary
Conflicts of Interest
Identified Weaknesses
Rating Explanation
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Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
Don't Drink the Hand Sanitizer! Methanol Poisonings on the Rise
Fifteen cases of methanol poisoning associated with ingesting alcohol-based hand sanitizers were reported in Arizona and New Mexico between May and June 2020, resulting in four deaths and three cases of vision impairment. The report highlights the danger of ingesting hand sanitizers, especially those containing methanol, and emphasizes the importance of public health messaging and clinical awareness for early diagnosis and treatment.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
One author (Steven Seifert) reported receiving personal fees from Taylor & Francis as Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Toxicology and from UpToDate as a paid author. Another author (Susan Smolinske) reported receiving grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration for poison centers.
Identified Weaknesses
Under-reporting and Diagnostic Challenges
The report acknowledges the limitations in definitively identifying all methanol poisoning cases due to challenges in obtaining exposure history and limited testing capabilities in some hospitals. This could lead to underestimation of the true incidence and impact of methanol poisoning related to hand sanitizer ingestion.
Data Source Limitations
The report relies on poison center call records and medical records, which may not capture all cases or provide complete information. This could introduce bias and limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited Scope of Product Testing
The exact extent of exposure to methanol-containing hand sanitizers remains uncertain, as not all products on the market were tested. This limits the ability to fully assess the risk and prevent future cases.
Rating Explanation
This report provides valuable public health information about a serious and emerging health threat. The investigation is well-conducted and provides important data for clinicians and public health officials. The identified limitations do not significantly detract from the overall value of the report.
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Original Title:
Serious Adverse Health Events, Including Death, Associated with Ingesting Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol — Arizona and New Mexico, May–June 2020
File Name:
mm6932e1-H.pdf
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July 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
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