Phoenix, Arizona<\/span><\/p>\n The rise of COVID-19 in Southwestern States are leading to other deadly consequences from methanol laced hand sanitizers. The medical toxicologist for Banner Health, Dr. Frank Lovecchio recently told <\/span>Max Gorden<\/span><\/a> a reporter for 3TV\/CBS 5 located in Phoenix that they have seen 14 known cases of hospitalizations from methanol poisoning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Lovecchio attributed these cases to drinking moonshine made from hand sanitizer. \u201cSo, these poor unfortunate people think they\u2019re getting bootleg alcohol, or maybe they\u2019re making bootleg alcohol, and then they succumb to this bad influence of methanol,\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before these documented rises in cases attributed to methanol poisoning from consuming moonshine, the FDA has been issuing warnings about imported hand sanitizers that contain methanol instead of the correct ingredient, ethanol alcohol (ethyl). As of July 9, 2020, the FDA list of hand sanitizers that contain methanol has grown to 55 brands and lots.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most of the tainted hand sanitizers on the FDA list are being produced in and imported from Mexico, although some are from China. The use of hand sanitizer that is tainted with and purposely made with methanol a cheaper form of alcohol can result in health problems when absorbed through the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n As noted in the FDA warning, \u201cSubstantial 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 for methanol poisoning, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Methanol has been a favorite cheap substitute for counterfeit liquor producers throughout the world and causes thousands of deaths, illness, blindness, organ damage, and hospitalizations annually. The advent of COVID-19 and the rise in the use of hand sanitizers have created a new market for these unscrupulous manufacturers.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>FDA warning bulletin updated on July 9, 2020<\/span><\/a> also notes their concerns with fraudulently manufactured hand sanitizers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The FDA has ordered a recall of most of the hand sanitizers on their list which has been growing since the surge of positive COVID-19 cases in the Southwestern US.\u00a0 The first warning was issued on July 2, 2020 for a brand called, Britz Hand Sanitizer Ethyl Alcohol 70%. Although its label listed that it contained 70% Ethyl Alcohol, FDA tests revealed that its true main ingredient was methanol. The list of suspected brands has been growing and now stands at 55.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What does this list of hand sanitizers have to do with moonshine in Arizona? Crafty bootleggers are using the methanol laced hand sanitizers to produce moonshine quickly and cheaply. Instead of taking the time to distill the moonshine, they can easily separate the methanol from the hand sanitizers and use it as the base for their counterfeit liquor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Authorities and doctors such as Dr. Lovecchio are worried that the problem will continue to grow especially on reservations located throughout the South West. \u201cLiquor stores, particularly on the reservation, are a little bit farther away, so it\u2019s harder for you to get to it. So, people resorted to making their own stuff. By resorting to making their own stuff, it fell to the problems of getting contaminants in it, such as, in this case, methanol,\u201d Dr. Lovecchio said.<\/span><\/p>\n Hospitals that are being overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases may not be able to accurately triage patients who present with virus symptoms from those who have methanol poisoning. Common symptoms of methanol poisoning may include severe vomiting, nausea, and breathing difficulties like patients who seek treatment for COVID-19<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In a story filed by reporter Christina Rodriquez for KOB 4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 26, 2020, she reported that 3 people had died from methanol tainted hand sanitizers. Along with the deaths 1 person is permanently blind and 3 remain in critical care. Blindness is a common result caused by methanol poisoning. Ms. Rodriquez quoted a New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) press release in her report. \u201cAll seven people are believed to have drunk hand sanitizer containing methanol,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She also interviewed NMDOH Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel who stated, \u201cIf you think you may have used or consumed hand sanitizer containing methanol, please seek medical care. An antidote to methanol poisoning is available, but the earlier someone gets treated for methanol poisoning the better the chance of recovery.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Vodka](\"https:\/\/www.safeproof.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/vodka-bottle-or-hand-sanitizer-178x300.jpg\")
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\n \t\t\tMore #FDA warning after #handsanitizer with methanol is used to make toxic Moonshine
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