Are Hand Sanitizers Safe?

Posted by Carla Snuggs Jun 25, 2007

There has certainly been a lot of media hype recently about alcohol based hand sanitizers and the dangers they may pose to children. Because they are sometimes used in the daycare setting I felt this situation should be addressed or discussed. The warnings come after recent accidental or improper ingestion cases involving alcohol based hand sanitizers.

However, experts say these warnings are due to media hype about isolated cases.

In a recent article distributed by Electronic News Publishing titled Hand Sanitizer Use Safe, Despite Internet, Media Hype, experts confirm that these claims have gotten out of hand. “It is most unlikely that accidental poisoning would occur in a child who licked their hands after application of hand sanitizer gel," says S. Rutherfoord Rose, PharmD, FAACT, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Virginia Poison Center in Richmond. "Most of the alcohol contained in these products evaporates into the air upon application."

I’m no expert, but I tend to agree that if alcohol based hand sanitizers are used as directed they are reasonably safe. I also believe they can be useful and handy, but are not absolutely necessary. None of the daycare facilities I have worked in used alcohol based hand sanitizers. Personally, I tend not to use them unless I am in an environment where there is absolutely no soap and water available. The moms I know, and I’m sure hosts of other mothers, use these practical products everyday without incident.

I think that alcohol based hand sanitizers are generally safe when used with caution and in moderation; there is no reason to stop using them if you are already doing so and have not had any problems with them. Again, this is my opinion and I am in no way making light of the isolated cases that are being reported.

The thing I’d take away from these news stories is to pay careful attention to directions for proper usage when using any potentially harmful substances around children.