Govt must check sale of ‘adulterated’ sanitisers
Residents say sub-standard products manufactured by dubious pharma companies are a cause for concern
Unscrupulous traders misusing it
If used repeatedly, methanol in hand sanitiser is quite harmful for skin. It makes the skin dry and causes itching and if there are cracks in the skin it can get absorbed and result in systematic side-effects. Because of Covid-19 scare in the minds of people, many unscrupulous traders are misusing it, particularly in Himachal Pradesh. FDA Punjab has already cautioned the Himachal Government about it. Washing hands with soap and water is a better option. Both alcohol and soap-water are solvents of fat, which has a covering for Covid-19. Formaldehyde is synthesised from methanol. Also known as methyl alcohol, its formula is CH3OH. Formaldehyde was used to store the organs from bodies after post-mortem. If methyl alcohol is taken orally, it can cause blindness because of optic atrophy as we had seen in states such as Bihar, UP and Gujarat. Then, there are higher degrees of alcohol like ethyl alcohol, also called ethanol with formula C2H5OH, isopropyl alcohol C3H8OH, butyl alcohol C4H9OH. The latter two give lesser kick than the first one.
Dr JS Wadhwa
QUESTION
Even as the UGC insists that exit exams are a must, the Punjab Government, which had already announced cancellation, is now pleading before the Centre for a rethink. In the tussle between the Centre and the state, who do you think is right?
Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to jalandhardesk @tribunemail.com by Thursday (July 16).
Ensure availability of genuine products
With the Covid-19 outbreak, health authorities across the world have emphasised the importance of social distancing, home quarantine and personal hygiene norms such as safety precautions. The FDA has recommended frequent hand washing with plain soap and water. In the absence of these, in clinical settings and other work and public places, it has advised the use of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) having 60 per cent ethanol or isopropanol because these are more effective and convenient for prevention of infection. But due to the coronavirus multiplying exponentially, there has been a sudden surge in market demand for reputed brands of hand sanitation products leading to severe shortage in their supply. Amid hoarding, sky-high prices and overcharging, a consequent sharp increase of sub-standard products manufactured by dubious pharmaceutical companies and their ease of availability in the market has raised grave safety concerns. Being vigilant and wary of their false, misleading and unsubstantiated claims about their quality and curative potential, the FDA has warned consumers against the use of hand sanitisers containing methanol, a toxic substance that severely damages different organs of human body. Unfortunately, a majority of consumers are either not aware of this anomaly or are dissatisfied with the current dysfunctional national regulatory framework at all stages of the product journey. The government should ensure regular access to genuine self-hygiene material at reasonable rates and take strict action against willful violators of safety norms.
DS Kang
Unscrupulous people making easy money
With the outbreak of Covid-19, one of the major precautions advised was to sanitise hands to check its spread. Any brand of soap or hand-wash liquid with antiseptic ingredients through minimum 20 seconds of indulgence could have done the job of sanitising the hands, but the public rushed to buy hand sanitisers which were in short supply. Unscrupulous manufacturers and traders took the occasion as an opportunity to make easy money. The government failed to check the quality and price of such sanitisers, the use of which was not familiar in most of Indian homes. It is laudable that the FDA has now taken steps against the use of deadly methanol in manufacturing hand sanitisers, but still, it needs to be clarified that there is no need to buy such sanitisers for home use. Sanitisers may be used in commercial or official establishments and where the facility of running water is not feasible.
Jagdish Chander
Chemists should not hoodwink customers
Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitiser containing methanol should seek immediate treatment. Exposure to methanol can lead to nausea, vomiting, headache, coma, permanent damage to nervous system or death. Public health agencies have reported that methanol is unable to kill viruses when compared to other alcohols, but can be toxic to humans. Methanol is used as an industrial chemical and fuel source. Ethanol and Isopropanol are two alcohols that can be safely and effectively used to sanitise hands and to disinfect surfaces. Mostly people are not aware of chemical substances and they have a blind faith on chemists. It is the responsibility of a chemist to provide consumer only that sanitiser, which contains ethanol and isopropanol and not even a single drop of methanol. Only one thing they should keep in the mind is human life is vital than money.
Saahil Hans
FDA’s decision has come too late
Manufacturers and the traders took undue advantage of the situation while the government failed to ensure both quality and price of such sanitisers. FDA’s latest action against the use of methanol is too late as the damage has already been done. While it is the utmost responsibility of the government to ensure the supply of quality sanitisers, there is also an urgent need to sensitise the public to the proper use and efficacy of ordinary handwash liquids.
Shashi Kiran
Why play with lives of innocent people?
According to the WHO and FDA warnings, the extensive use of methanol in hand sanitisers can prove to be extremely detrimental for our health. What took them so long to take this decision? There has to be some scrutiny. I doubt if there was any regular check on the chain of manufacturers and sellers! The innocent people of our nation have been left high and dry. We have to introspect and look for lasting solutions to take our nation on the path of progress, prosperity and glory.
Simranjeet Singh Saini
Ban hand sanitisers containing Methanol
Given the present scenario, the demand of hand sanitiser in the market is very high. Methanol is a toxic substance, which may even lead to loss of life. The pharmaceutical companies in India come under the Ministry of chemicals and fertilisers. It is now the responsibility of ministry to take stringent action against those pharmaceutical companies which have been using methanol in hand sanitiser. Any pharmaceutical company using methanol in hand sanitisers should be banned by the ministry.
Shailja Thakur
