Consumption of counterfeit alcohol causes blindness and death!
Drawing attention to the issue of counterfeit alcohol and methyl alcohol poisoning due to the increasing deaths as a result of counterfeit alcohol consumption recently, Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker said that "Methyl alcohol is used by illegal producers in the production of counterfeit alcohol because it is cheaper than ethyl alcohol.”
Stating that "In recent years, deaths and poisonings due to the consumption of illegally produced moonshine have been increasing," Büyüker emphasized that when methyl alcohol is taken orally, it is absorbed very quickly in the stomach environment, and that approximately 25-30 ml of methyl alcohol intake can cause permanent blindness, and 100 ml intake can cause death.
Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services Pharmacy Services Program Head Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker evaluated the issue of counterfeit alcohol and methyl alcohol poisoning due to the recent deaths as a result of counterfeit alcohol consumption.
The duration of admission to emergency services is very important in methyl alcohol poisoning
Stating that toxic disasters due to methyl alcohol cause death all over the world, Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker said that "In our country, from time to time, cheaper methyl alcohol is used instead of ethyl alcohol to produce low-cost drinks, and this causes poisoning and even death. In methyl alcohol poisoning, the time it takes for patients to apply to the emergency departments of hospitals and early diagnosis of methyl alcohol poisoning are of great importance. In addition, the patient's access to treatment resources such as hemodialysis plays a critical role."
Methyl alcohol is used as a solvent in industry
Emphasizing that methyl alcohol is a type of alcohol that is frequently used in the production of illegal alcohol and has toxic effects, Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker stated that "Although these effects are sometimes temporary, they can cause permanent damage and even result in death. This type of alcohol, which is used as a solvent in various sectors of industry, is not suitable for the production of alcohol. However, due to the fact that it is cheaper than ethyl alcohol, it is used by illegal producers in the production of counterfeit alcohol. Especially in entertainment venues and restaurants where alcohol is sold, it is not possible for people to understand whether the drink they drink is fake or not. In addition, people's desire to prepare their own drinks at home can also lead to poisoning. Because most of the time, they do not have the information to understand whether the alcohol they buy is ethyl alcohol or methyl alcohol, and therefore they can consume the drinks they prepare using methyl alcohol."
People do not know enough about the harms of counterfeit alcohol
Noting that people do not have enough information about the fact that counterfeit drinks can cause death or permanent toxic effects such as blindness, and that both types of alcohol have similar characteristics, Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker stated that "In recent years, deaths and poisonings due to the consumption of illegally produced moonshine have been increasing. For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment should be started in patients admitted to emergency departments. Antidote therapy and hemodialysis are life-saving in the treatment of methyl alcohol poisoning."
Intake of 25-30 ml of methyl alcohol causes permanent blindness, and 100 ml intake causes death
Stating that exposure to methyl alcohol poisoning is usually oral but can also occur by inhalation and dermal routes, Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker continued her remarks as follows.
"When methyl alcohol is taken orally, it is absorbed very quickly in the stomach environment. Intake of about 25-30 ml of methyl alcohol can cause permanent blindness, and 100 ml intake can cause death. Clinical findings due to methyl alcohol poisoning vary according to the type and dose of exposure. Ethyl alcohol is used as an antidote in methyl alcohol poisoning. To diagnose poisoning, supportive tests should be performed. The definitive diagnosis can be made by measuring the level of methanol in the blood, but this may not always be possible."
How to understand poisoning from counterfeit alcohol?
Stating that although poisoning starts like classical poisoning and intoxication symptoms at first, specific symptoms of poisoning may develop in the future, Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker stated that some of the clinical findings of methyl alcohol poisoning are drunkenness, gastrointestinal disorder, visual impairment and blindness, abdominal pain, vomiting, pancreatitis, impaired consciousness, seizures, coma and central nervous system depression, kidney failure, myocardial dysfunction and cerebral hemorrhage.
People who produce under the counter should be prevented!
Stating that, it is important to supervise the businesses that sell alcohol well in order to prevent methyl alcohol poisoning t and punish those who produce under the counter, Assoc. Prof. Sultan Mehtap Büyüker said that "In addition, people should be informed that it is dangerous for them to produce their own drinks at home."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)