Here are hand sanitizers you’ll want to avoid
If you’re using hand sanitizer to avoid getting COVID-19, you need to be aware of a recent Food and Drug Administration warning to avoid several hand sanitizers because they contain a toxic chemical.
That chemical is methanol and is sometimes listed as wood alcohol on labels. This substance can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. Several hand sanitizers made by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico contain this toxic ingredient.
Here is a list of the products from Eskbiochem that contain toxic methanol:
• All-Clean Hand Sanitizer
• EskBiochem Hand Sanitizer
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol
• Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer
• The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol
• Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer
According to the report, the FDA tested samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ, finding that Lavar Gel contains 81 percent methanol and no ethyl alcohol, while CleanCare No Germ contains 28 percent methanol. Attempts by the FDA to get Eskbiochem to remove these hand sanitizers from the market have been ignored, which prompted the FDA to issue the warning to consumers.
Signs of methanol poisoning include nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, and can result in permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. In its warning the FDA states, “Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.”
Consumers who have one of these hand sanitizers should stop using it immediately and “dispose of them in appropriate hazardous waste containers,” the FDA advised. “Do not flush or pour these products down the drain.”
Since its initial report, the FDA has added more brands that have tested positive for the toxic substance. For an updated list check out the FDA website at: https://bit.ly/2CCFcvT
Federal health agencies recommend hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If it’s not possible to wash your hands, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.
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AUTHENTICATION SCAMS: As scams have become more prevalent, many consumers are protecting their online personal and account information by enabling two-factor authentication. This adds a security step that requires people to enter a code sent to their phone or email before they can access their account.
The bad guys need three things to access your account: 1. Your username 2. Your password 3. Your authentication code.
With past data breaches, there’s a chance that your user name and password have been compromised. So now security experts are warning that scammers have developed sophisticated phishing techniques that trick you into giving up your verification code under the guise of telling you there has been a suspicious sign-in attempt into your account.
The scam goes like this:
The scammer logs into your account using a user name and password to see if it is correct. Then right before you receive the legitimate verification code, the scammer texts you, pretending they are from the relevant company, and informs you that there has been a suspicious sign-in attempt into your account.
Then the message requests that you send the verification code to “temporarily lock your account.” However, if you do that you have just handed the scammer your legitimate code and they gain access and control of your account.
Remember, no legitimate company will text you, asking you to send them your verification code. Don’t ever send anyone a verification code or enter the code on an unverified website. Change your passwords periodically to further help protect your information.
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2020 CENSUS REVISION: Last week I reported that Idaho would be one of the states conducting over-the-phone interviews for the 2020 Census. However, according to a Census Media Specialist for Idaho, Idaho is one of the states that will be conducting nonresponse in-person follow-up (NRFU) operation. This means the Census takers will be going door-to-door to the households that have yet to respond to the 2020 Census. They officially started this campaign on July 16.
The information I provided was correct for all other surveys the Census Bureau oversees but the 2020 Census has different operational updates. If you don’t want someone knocking on your door, it’s not too late to self-respond. People can still respond online, by mail or phone at 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish.
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Census Bureau has adjusted its operation to protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees. Employees will wear masks and are required to have their credentials on them at all times to verify they work for the Census Bureau. The credentials include an ID badge with their photograph and a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, with an expiration date.
If you want to call the office to verify an employee’s status, call 844-330-2020. For more Census information, check out: https://bit.ly/3fMSWm2
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Remember: I’m on your side.
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If you have encountered a consumer issue that you have questions about or think our readers should know about, please send me an email at terridickersonadvocate@gmail.com or call me at 208-274-4458. As The CDA Press Consumer Gal, I’m here to help. I’m a copywriter working with businesses on marketing strategy, a columnist, a veterans advocate and a consumer advocate living in Coeur d’Alene.