The sanitary-epidemiological service has withdrawn over 22,000 litres of unsafe windscreen washer fluids from circulation.

Annually, during the autumn-winter period, state sanitary supervision institutions conduct laboratory control of automotive windshield washer fluids available for sale for methanol content (also known as methyl alcohol, methyl hydrate).

Annually, during the autumn-winter period, state sanitary supervision institutions conduct laboratory control of automotive windshield washer fluids available for sale for methanol content (also known as methyl alcohol, methyl hydrate).

     It is worth recalling that methanol is a toxic substance, has no characteristic odour, and is indistinguishable in taste from ethyl alcohol. Inhalation, penetration through intact skin, and especially ingestion can cause acute poisoning.

     In November-December of the current year alone, over one hundred retail outlets across the country have had the sale of over 4 thousand units of unsafe products, amounting to approximately 22 thousand litres, suppressed.

     As laboratory research results have shown, the concentration of methanol in windshield washer fluids can sometimes reach 30%, while the norm is no more than 0.05%.   

     In total, during 2021, the sanitary-epidemiological service of the republic banned the import and circulation of 13 types of windshield washer fluids (mainly of foreign production). Information on unsafe products can be found on the website of the State Institution "Republican Centre for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health" www.rcheph.by: in the section "Supervisory Activities / Temporary Sanitary Measures".

     We draw consumers' attention to the fact that various anti-icing fluids, mainly named "Antiled", are sold in retail networks. These are not intended for use as automotive windshield washer fluids, as they contain methyl alcohol.

     Often, the containers and colour of anti-icing fluids are visually indistinguishable from automotive windshield washer fluids, and similar label designs are used. At the same time, the information on the labelling indicates that the product is safe for paintwork and is intended for cleaning snow and ice from metal, plastic, concrete, and other coatings and surfaces.

     For safety reasons, we recommend refraining from purchasing windshield washer fluids from unauthorised points of sale.