Hand sanitizer products: What works? What's safe? What to avoid?
As COVID-19 spreads, the demand for hand sanitizer is growing.
Not all types of hand sanitizer, though, are safe and effective.
Dr. Richard Costello, the director of environmental health, safety and risk management at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said three types of products will kill COVID-19 without harmful side effects.
Consumers should look for products with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol, at least 60% ethanol (which may appear on labels as ethyl alcohol) or benzalkonium chloride, which is most commonly found in health care settings.
Products that contain methanol should not be used as hand sanitizers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a list of hand sanitizers that consumers should avoid. It also offers a Q&A for consumers.
Watch the video for the full story.