Methanol Poisoning
Context:
34 people have died and more than 80 were admitted to hospital for treatment after consuming hooch, or spurious liquor in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu.
- Most of the victims of tragedies caused by spurious alcohol are daily wage labourers who cannot afford legally sold Indian-made foreign liquor. They resort to counterfeit alcohol due to its low price, resulting in tragic consequences.
About Hooch
- It is also known as spurious liquor which refers to poor-quality alcohol produced outside regulated factories.
- Unlike branded liquor, which undergoes rigorous quality control, hooch is made in crude settings.
- It is meant to intoxicate, but if prepared incorrectly, it can have fatal consequences.
- It is derived from “Hoochinoo,” the name of a native Alaskan tribe known for producing strong liquor.
Spurious Liquor: It is a type of alcoholic beverage that contains methanol, a highly toxic form of alcohol.
- It is often made at home or produced illegally.
- Consuming spurious liquor is extremely dangerous and can lead to blindness, organ damage, and even death due to methanol poisoning.
- Regulations: The Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations 2018 specify permissible limits of methanol in different types of liquor.
- These values span a wide range, including “absent” in coconut fenny, 50 grams per 100 litres of country liquor, and 300 grams per 100 litres of pot-distilled spirits.
The Production Process:
- Fermentation: Heated Yeast reacts with sugar (from grains, fruits, or sugarcane) to create a mixture containing alcohol. However it has limitations—once alcohol levels rise, conditions become toxic for the yeast.
- Distillation: To create stronger alcohol (above 14-18% ABV), beverages need distillation. This process physically separates alcohol from the fermented mixture using evaporation and condensation. Distilled spirits are far more potent than fermented ones.
- Hooch Production: It is produced by distilling a fermented mixture (often locally available yeast, sugar, or fruit waste).
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- The setup is rudimentary—a simple vat for boiling the mixture, a pipe to capture alcoholic fumes, and another pot for condensing concentrated alcohol.
What is Methanol poisoning?
It is a serious condition that occurs when methanol, a type of alcohol, is ingested. It is rapidly absorbed and reaches peak blood levels within 90 minutes of ingestion.
- It is metabolised into formaldehyde, which is toxic and can cause severe damage to various organs.
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- Formic acid accumulation from methanol ingestion can start causing harm within 18-24 hours, leading to vision loss, kidney damage, and neurological issues.
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- Half of methanol consumers experience Ophthalmic effects within a day of ingestion.
- Sources: It can be found in many household products, including windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, paint thinner, and shellac.
- Symptoms: Include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, and vision problems. In severe cases leads to coma, seizures, and death.
Alcohol in Liquor: The alcohol content in liquor varies, with beer around 5%, wine around 12%, and distilled spirits around 40% alcohol by volume.
- The alcohol in recreational beverages is always ethanol (ethanol).
- Ethanol (C2H5OH): It is a psychoactive drug that reduces neurotransmission at low doses, causing intoxicating effects.
- Health Risks: The World Health Organisation states there is no safe level of ethanol consumption.
- Long-term use can lead to dependence, increase the risk of cancers and heart disease, and even cause death.
- Metabolism: Ethanol is broken down in the body by enzymes into acetaldehyde responsible for the negative effects of alcohol consumption, including hangovers and some cancers.
Methanol (CH3OH)
Treatment
- Fomepizole (Antidote): Binds to ADH enzymes, slowing methanol metabolism and preventing formic acid buildup.
- Pharmaceutical-Grade Ethanol: Competes with methanol for ADH enzymes, preventing its conversion to toxic formic acid.
- Supportive measures: Dialysis and Folinic Acid which promotes formic acid breakdown into less harmful substances. (Included in WHO’s essential medicine list).
Article 47: Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.
