METHANOL: The Killer Alcohol
When the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the rumors of a killer virus coming out of Wuhan, people swarmed groceries to panic-buy disinfectants and alcohol in record numbers, resulting in stock outs and shortage. This created a void in the market that some unscrupulous businessmen sought to fill.
A myriad of brands appeared, many from fly-by-night businesses with little to no history before the pandemic. These non-FDA-approved “manufacturers” have resorted to fraudulent means in order to increase their profit margins and exploit the public. The most nefarious of these is the use of METHANOL as an active ingredient. Methanol or Methyl Alcohol, (colloquially known as “Gin Bulag”) is highly toxic to humans. It takes less than 10mL to kill.
Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Repeated exposure through inhalation, swallowing or skin contact can cause damage to body organs, blindness, and death. It is also NOT an effective disinfectant. However, its cheap cost has caused profiteers to incorporate it in place of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol for sale in the unregulated market (mostly business to business and online sales).
The symptoms of methanol exposure are progressive:
1. Headaches
2. stomach disturbances
3. visual failure or blindness
4. organ failure
5. Death
As of now, the FDA has posted more than 20 public health advisory warnings and product recalls regarding different alcohol brands that were found to contain methanol.
How to Keep Safe
Beware of the warning signs that alcohol may contain methanol:
1. Unusually low cost
2. Only available online
3. “FDA approved” but no “manufactured by:” on label
4. Not on FDA list of approved manufacturers (note that this is different from the list of approved traders)
Be warned – some businesses (retail stores and restaurants) refill their branded bottles of alcohol with cheap, methanol-laden alternatives because the difference is undetectable. Either use your own alcohol or demand that the establishment share the source of the alcohol in their containers and prove that it is methanol-free.