PerkinElmer enhances Hand Sanitizer Analyzer to detect methanol in 30 seconds

The instrument also tests ethanol and isopropanol concentrations to confirm product efficacy.

Recent warnings and recalls from the FDA indicate that methanol can be toxic to consumers if absorbed through the skin and life threatening if ingested.

The instrument, brought to market in April 2020, also tests hand sanitizers for concentration levels of desired alcohols, such as ethanol and isopropanol, to help assure product efficacy per WHO, USP or FDA guidelines.

The compact and portable analyser is based on the company’s Spectrum Two FT-IR spectrometer solution and can rapidly detect methanol contamination down to 0.03% (or 300 parts per million), which is more sensitive than the FDA mandated detection limits.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing and the flu season on its way, it is critical that consumers can trust the safety and efficacy of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products,” said Suneet Chadha, VP/GM, Applied Markets, PerkinElmer. “Our PerkinElmer Hand Sanitizer Analyzer puts fast and reliable results into the hands of the producers and suppliers of these high-demand products, protecting consumers and avoiding counterfeit ingredient use and recalls.”