On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning concerning hand sanitizers developed by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Utah – marketed under several brand names – which were recalled due to “high levels of disease-causing bacteria.” As risks associated with all-natural and discount brand hand sanitizers have been found before, it is important for consumers to verify the ethanol content of their hand sanitation products as well as to heed the reletad FDA warnings and instructions.Hand Sanitizer Recall and Warning, Clarcon Product Names Consumers should not use any Clarcon products and consumers should throw them away, as advised by the FDA.
Example products include: Citrushield Lotion, Dermasentials DermaBarrier, Dermassentials by Clarcon Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer, Iron Fist Barrier Hand Treatment, Skin Shield Restaurant, Skin Shield Industrial, Skin Shield Beauty Salon Lotion, Total Skin Care Beauty, Total Skin Care Work
Potential Risks from Clarcon Hand SanitizersIn summary, FDA analyses of several samples of over-the-counter topical antimicrobial skin sanitizer and hand protectant products revealed contamination with different types of bacteria at high levels, including some germs associated with unsanitary conditions.
There is a risk of infection to the skin and underlying tissues, potentially severe enough that such infections may require medical or surgical attention and/or may result in permanent damage.
All consumers are advised to dispose of the aforementioned products, even though oppportunistic infections of the skin, including MRSA, generally occur when there are open wounds and/or in persons who are immuncompromised.
About hand sanitizers, which products are safe?
Epidemiologic studies have shown beneficial effects of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in reducing gastrointestinal illnesses in households , reducing both absentee rates in elementary schools and illnesses in university dormitories, as well as providing other benefits in various settings from daycare centers to animal shelters.
Yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted in the past that “some products marketed to the public as antimicrobial hand sanitizers are not effective in reducing bacterial counts on hands.”
Studies have shown that 62 percent ethanol is superior to 40 percent ethanol but discount brands may offer only 40 percent ethanol and/or not display the ethanol level of the product. In one study overseen by the CDC, it was found that a discount product with 40 percent ethanol actually increased bacterial concentration while claiming to reduce "germs and harmful bacteria" by 99.9%.”
Natural, But Not Effective
Though alternative and discount brand hand sanitizers may be safe and effective, it is important for consumers to verity the product's alcohol content. This is especially true with the trend towards all natural products. The Clarcon Dermassentials Anitmicrobial Skin Sanitizer, for instance, is claimed to be “a new product that is 97% natural,” that it contains “no alcohol” and that it “is the only "Bioganic" skin product that works with the skins natural bacteria.”
Unfortunately, the product -- like others from the manufacturer -- not only doesn't live up to its claims of efficacy, it may cause a health condition worse than that what it attempts to fight.