
There's a new warning from the government to avoid nearly 90 brands of hand sanitizer that may contain a toxic form of alcohol. It's just the latest health advisory for something many of us use every day now, if not every hour.
The FDA says some hand sanitizers—many made in Mexico—contain methanol, a toxic form of alcohol that can cause harm when absorbed through the skin. CBS News Medical Contributor Dr. David Agus said when COVID-19 came along, trusted brands went out the window for products in high demand.
"And what you get is a lot of foreign-made hand sanitizers that do not have quality ingredients," he said.
The warning comes after an earlier advisory that hand sanitizers with pump tops can spark fires in hot cars.
Former firefighter Sherry Wilson said the pumps can vent alcohol when they get overheated, and that sealed caps are much safer.
"If it’s venting into a small space like a car, you can get some vapor release," she explained.