World adds over 40,000 occurrences in 28 years; Brazil records 17 confirmed poisoning in 2025
Methanol poisoning cases are frequent in countries such as Laos, Russia and India. According to MSF (doctors without borders), considering cases notified by press vehicles, from 1997 to 2025, more than 40,700 people have already been affected by the substance.
In Brazil, only in 2025 there were 217 notifications of possible poisoning –17 already confirmed. According to the Ministry of Health, the country’s historical series is about 20 occurrences per year.
According to the panel “Methanol Suspected Incidents”, which considers cases notified by several media outlets, over 28 years, there have been about 14,400 deaths in 1,100 incidents reported.
RUSSIA
From September 10 to 17 this year, 25 people died in the Leningrad region of St. Petersburg, after consuming adulterated alcohol with high methanol levels, according to information from the information .
Already one of the most serious episodes in the country does not involve the consumption of adulterated drinks. In 2016, in Irkutsk, Siberia, more than 60 people died after ingesting, as if it were Liquor, smuggled bath oil containing the substance.
Alcoholism is a serious problem in Russian health. According to BBC, It is estimated that up to 12 million Russians consume alcohol substitutes such as perfumes, post-shave, antifreeze, and glass cleaners, especially in rural and poorer regions.
LAOS
In Laos, Southeast Asia, 6 tourists died in November 2024 in the city of Vang Vieng. Among the victims were 2 Australians, 2 Danes, 1 British and 1 American. The incident led Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand to issue alerts to travelers.
INDIA
In May this year, Punjab recorded 21 deaths and 10 hospitalizations for methanol poisoning, also according to AFP. In June 2024, Tamil Nadu had 53 dead and almost 100 hospitalized in the Kallakurichi region, according to the New York Times.
MOROCCO
According to the Ministry of Health of Morocco, from June 3 to 5, 2024, the Rabat-Salestra Regional Health Directorate recorded 114 cases of methanol poisoning in Sidi Allal Tazi. Eight people died.
INDONESIA
In Indonesia, 86 people died and more than 140 were hospitalized in April 2018 after consuming illegal alcohol containing methanol, as reported by CNN. Most cases occurred in West Java, but there were also records in Jakarta and South Kalimantan.
Three members of a jazz band died in SURABAYA after consuming adulterated drinks in a hotel in December 2023. In August 2024, another occurrence: 3 students died for consuming Oplosan –How is the illegal alcohol in the country – mixed with perfume in Magelang.
MALAYSIA
In the same year, Malaysia faced a similar outbreak that resulted in at least 21 dead, according to the Reuters. Later, local vehicles like the Malay Mail raised the number to up to 45 fatalities.
Understand
The Ministry of Health records 217 notifications of possible cases of methanol poisoning after drinking alcohol. There are 200 in investigation and 17 confirmed. The data is from Monday (6.out.2025).
The State of São Paulo most of the notifications, with 15 confirmations and 164 in investigation. There are also confirmations in Brasilia, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pernambuco, Paraná and Bahia.
The country also has 14 notified deaths, of which two have already been confirmed in São Paulo and another 12 remain under investigation (6 in São Paulo, 3 in Pernambuco, one in Mato Grosso do Sul, one in Paraíba and one in Ceará).
With the discharge of cases of methanol contamination in the country, the ministry does not now ingest distilled drinks, the main target of tampering. In cases of consumption, the indication is to check if the product has a label, security seal or tax seal.
What is methanol?
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol (CH₃OH), is a highly toxic, volatile and flammable chemical. It is a simple, colorless alcohol, a odor similar to the common alcohol. In the past, it was called “Madeira Alcohol” because it was obtained from the distillation of logs. Today, it is produced on an industrial scale, especially from natural gas.
Liquid is used as a raw material for the production of formaldehyde, acetic acid, resins, solvents and paints. It is also present in anticons, cleaning and paint removers. In Brazil, one of the main applications is in biodiesel production through transesterification.
Lethal dosage
Ingestion of 4 mL to 10 ml of methanol can cause irreversible damage, such as blindness, according to the CFQ (Federal Council of Chemistry). The advice warns that small doses already represent a real threat to life. It is estimated that 30 ml of pure methanol may be lethal.
Effects on the body
The greatest danger of methanol intake appears in late effects, says the Federal Council of Chemistry. Methanol is metabolized in the body in formaldehyde and formic acid, the latter responsible for causing metabolic acidosis – a severe blood pH imbalance. Symptoms include:
- accelerated breathing;
- increased heart rate;
- Persistent abdominal pain;
- Damage to vision, which can evolve into irreversible blindness.
Diagnosis and Treatment
According to ABNO (Brazilian Association of Neuro-Oftalmology), .. The first symptoms vary according to the amount ingested: they can be felt from two to 48 hours.
In case of suspected ingestion or prolonged methanol contact, do not induce vomiting and forward the person urgently to the hospital. The sooner the diagnosis and treatment are performed, the lower the risk of death or serious sequelae.
Treatment is done with intravenous (homestepizole) drugs that, like ethanol, can inhibit methanol metabolism, avoiding formic acid formation, causing the most severe sequelae. The patient may undergo gastric wash and hemodialysis.
Antidote against methanol
On Saturday morning (4.out), Minister Alexandre Padilha the purchase of 2,500 hunger units, a drug used as. The acquisition was made with the Pan American Health Organization from a supplier in Japan.
He also announced the purchase of 12,000 new ampoules of the pharmaceutical ethanol of Brazilian companies. They will add to the 4,300 acquired previously by the folder to “strategic stock”From health centers. So far, adulterated products have been registered mainly in the south of São Paulo and São Bernardo do Campo.
The victims have consumed drinks like gin, vodka and whiskey in bars, parties or in their homes. Health authorities proceed with investigations into the origin of adulterated drinks and the extent of contamination.
The CEO of ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency), Leandro Safatle, that the agency’s priority is to rapidly enable the supply of antidotes against methanol poisoning.
Prevention and Control
To avoid intoxications, it is recommended:
- Verify the origin of the purchased drinks;
- distrust prices far below the market;
- Do not consume products without official registration.
The rigorous supervision of government agencies and periodic laboratory analyzes made by chemistry professionals are essential to prevent tragedies. They have the role of identifying contaminants, ensuring product quality and making the population aware of the risks of adulterated drink consumption.
The risk of adulteration
According to the Federal Council of Chemistry, the problem arises when methanol is used criminally in alcohol tampering.
Ingestion, inhalation or prolonged contact with methanol may cause immediate symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting and depression of the central nervous system.
Drinks with suspicion of tampering is a work done for years by the scientific police of São Paulo. Seized bottles undergo a sequence of analyzes that includes the verification of labels and seals, as well as chemical examinations to identify levels of substances such as methanol.
