Coronavirus: Hong Kong watchdog urges wariness over alcohol-based disinfectants as traces of methanol found
- Micro levels of the toxic substance were found in six of 24 locally available alcohol-based disinfectants tested by the Consumer Council
- While the tests showed levels that fell within WHO safety recommendations, the risk of chronic poisoning remains, research committee chair says
Consumers should be extra cautious when purchasing alcohol-based disinfectants amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog warned on Wednesday, revealing new tests that showed a toxic substance found in some brands sold locally.
Over March 11 to 13, the Consumer Council purchased 24 alcohol disinfectants from drug stores in six districts including Tsuen Wan, Mong Kok, North Point, Sha Tin, Kwan Tung and Causeway Bay.
During lab tests commissioned by the council, micro amounts of toxic methanol were detected in six samples, ranging from 0.007 per cent to 0.0336 per cent, with the highest amount – about 0.09 millilitre of methanol – found in a 450ml bottle of rubbing alcohol produced by Extra Care.
Professor Nora Tam Fung-yee, chairwoman of the council's research and testing committee, said at a Wednesday morning press conference that while the highest amount of methanol found in the tests fell within the World Health Organisation’s safety level recommendations, consumers could still face chronic poisoning.
Methanol could enter the body through the skin, resulting in potential eye damage or issues developing in the central nervous system, while the intake of a large amount of methanol could lead to loss of eyesight and kidney failure eventually, Tam said.
