Sochi women employed technical alcohol
In the recent tragic events in Sochi, a death toll of more than 10 people has been reported, with many victims being tourists from the Donetsk People's Republic [1]. The cause of these fatalities has been linked to the consumption of moonshine, a homemade alcoholic beverage, which is potentially dangerous due to the presence of methanol [2].
Methanol, a toxic alcohol, can sometimes be found as an adulterant in illicit or homemade alcoholic beverages. It is crucial to avoid unregulated or suspicious alcohol sources, as methanol contamination typically occurs in such products not subject to quality controls [3].
Alexander Gorachev, an expert from the regional Center for Public Health, has issued a warning about the danger of methanol in moonshine. He advises purchasing alcoholic products exclusively from licensed retail outlets with appropriate excise marks [4].
During metabolism in the body, methanol is transformed into formaldehyde and formic acid, causing severe poisoning. The nervous system, respiratory organs, and visual apparatus are most susceptible to the negative effects of methanol [5].
In case of suspected poisoning, immediate medical attention is critical. Until help arrives, it is recommended to rinse the stomach, take activated charcoal, and ensure plenty of fluids [6].
While there are laboratory testing techniques such as Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and headspace analysis that can accurately detect methanol in alcoholic beverages, these methods are not suitable for consumer-level identification [3].
Therefore, the best prevention is to purchase alcohol only from trusted, legal retailers and avoid cheap, unlabeled, or suspicious products. Consumers should be aware that there is no simple, reliable visual or taste test to distinguish methanol from ethanol [7].
Gorachev also warned against similar incidents involving moonshine, emphasising the importance of public awareness about the dangers of methanol in alcohol [8].
References:
[1] [News Source 1] [2] [News Source 2] [3] [Scientific Source 1] [4] [News Source 3] [5] [Scientific Source 2] [6] [News Source 4] [7] [News Source 5] [8] [News Source 6]
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, it's essentially crucial to be cautious when consuming alcohol, particularly homemade varieties like moonshine, due to the potential presence of toxins like methanol.
- Science has shown that methanol, a harmful substance often found in unregulated alcoholic beverages, can truly impact one's mental-health and overall wellbeing, as it gets metabolized into toxic substances like formaldehyde and formic acid.
- To maintain optimal health and fitness-and-exercise, it's advisable to opt for alcoholic products from licensed retailers, as these sources are less likely to contain dangerous contaminants like methanol, which can be detrimental to one's health and wellbeing.
