Drinking Hand Sanitizer

[RBCal]

Inmate's High Traced to Hand Sanitizer

The 49-year-old Maryland inmate seemed seriously sick after he drank from a gallon-container of hand sanitizer. Described as "loony," "red-eyed" and "combative," he was whisked by officials to a nearby Baltimore hospital for treatment.

"The widespread use of hand sanitizer is fraught with a great deal of danger," said Suzanne Doyon, medical director of the Maryland Poison Center, who co-authored a letter in the journal about the case. "From an infection control perspective they are excellent. But there is this risk involved."

Purell, which is 70 percent alcohol, is far more potent than conventional drinks such as beer (5 percent), wine (12 percent) or liquor (40 percent). Doyon said the non-alcohol ingredients in Purell don't pose a health risk if ingested.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...013102151.html

[DawnStorm]

I would think that the alcohol in these sanitizers is isopropyl, but I guess that will do in a pinch when you're desparate for some hooch.

[Eddylizard]

Originally Posted by DawnStorm

I would think that the alcohol in these sanitizers is isopropyl, but I guess that will do in a pinch when you're desparate for some hooch.

I heard a tale years ago (probably a UL) that Russian soldiers would smear boot polish on a piece of bread. The alcohol solvent would soak into the bread, and could then be squeezed or sucked out.

[Banrion]

Originally Posted by DawnStorm

I would think that the alcohol in these sanitizers is isopropyl, but I guess that will do in a pinch when you're desparate for some hooch.

I just happen to have a bottle of CVS brand hand sanitizer that specifically lists Ethyl Alcohol as the active ingredient 62%, but Isopropyl Alcohol is listed as an inactive ingredient. Another bottle I have made by safetec of america has 66.5& ethyl alcohol, and no isopropyl, but does have triethanolamine which doesn't seem to be to pleasant as far as ingestion goes:

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
No adverse effects expected since triethanolamine has a low vapor pressure.
Ingestion:
May cause burns in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Skin Contact:
May cause irritation, redness, and pain, especially on prolonged or repeated contact.
Eye Contact:
Corrosive. Contact causes severe irritation, burns, redness, and pain. May cause irritation, redness, pain, and corneal damage.
Chronic Exposure:
Repeated ingestion has caused kidney and liver damage in animals.

[MapleLeaf]

Purell, which is 70 percent alcohol, is far more potent than conventional drinks such as beer (5 percent), wine (12 percent) or liquor (40 percent).

This makes it sound as though the only thing you need to do in order to down purell with your nachos and wings is to dilute it with water.