This stuff could have as much alcohol as a bottle of vodka.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—As the swine-flu epidemic plateaus and we move into seasonal-flu time, there are probably more germ-killing hand sanitizers in reach this year than ever before. One unintended consequence: more incidents of kids ingesting the stuff, accidentally or on purpose. Poison-control experts say some adolescents intentionally down gooey, alcohol-based hand-sanitizing gel as a means to get intoxicated quickly. "Remember that a lot of alcohol-based sanitizers have concentrations up to 70 percent—that's 140 proof," explains Edward Krenzelok, PharmD, director of the Pittsburgh Poison Control Center & Drug Information Center and a professor of pharmacy and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh. "Vodka, whiskey, gin…most are 45 percent alcohol and 80 proof."

THE DETAILS: During this time of the year, when flu season approaches and sets in, Krenzelok says poison-control centers across the country experience an uptick in frantic calls that go something like this: (Small child screaming in background) "My child just ate a squirt of hand sanitizer. What should I do?" More often than not, Krenzelok's team will recommend a "glass of milk for the child, and a tincture of reassurance for the nervous patient." Although little kids are very susceptible to the effects of alcohol (it can lower their blood sugar dramatically, for example), that won't occur from one lick of the foul-tasting substance, Krenzelok says.

"Typical exposure by a small child involves a squirt or two from a pump of 70 percent alcohol [sometimes labeled as ethanol] hand sanitizers really isn't usually a problem," Krenzelok explains. "They cry because it tastes bad and maybe it irritates their tongue," he says. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, centers are receiving more of these calls as the use of hand sanitizers increases. Combined data from 2005 and 2006 found that poison-control centers reported more than 20,000 exposures to hand sanitizer, with more than 17,000 cases involving children under the age of 6. None of the calls resulted in death, with no major medical problems reported in the children. In fact, more than 9,500 cases resulted in little or no effect.

On the other hand, those a little older and looking for a buzz are willing to down more than a squirt, despite the nasty, tongue-burning flavor.