Brazil has 59 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning

The reported on Wednesday (29.Oct.2025) that Brazil has 59 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning. The State of São Paulo concentrates most of the records, with 46 confirmed cases, followed by 6 in Paraná, 5 in Pernambuco, 1 in Rio Grande do Sul and 1 in Mato Grosso.

The number of people who died due to poisoning remains at 15:

• 9 in São Paulo;
• 3 in Paraná;
• 3 in Pernambuco.

Another 9 deaths are being investigated:

• 3 in Pernambuco;
• 2 in São Paulo;
• 2 in Paraná;
• 1 in Minas Gerais;
• 1 in Mato Grosso do Sul.

What is methanol?

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol (CH₃OH), is a chemical substance highly toxic, volatile and flammable. It is a simple, colorless alcohol, with an odor similar to that of common alcoholic beverages. In the past, it was called “wood alcohol” because it is obtained from the distillation of logs. Today, it is produced on an industrial scale, mainly from natural gas.

The liquid is used as a raw material for the production of formaldehyde, acetic acid, resins, solvents e paints. It is also present in antifreeze, window cleaner e paint removers. In Brazil, one of the main applications is in the production of biodieselthrough transesterification.

Lethal dosage

The ingestion of 4 ml to 10 ml of methanol can cause irreversible damage, such as blindness, according to the CFQ (Federal Chemistry Council). The council warns that small doses already pose a real threat to life. Estimate that 30 ml of pure methanol can be lethal.

Effects on the body

The greatest danger of ingesting methanol appears in late effectsstates the Federal Chemistry Council. Methanol is metabolized in the body into formaldehyde and formic acidthe latter responsible for causing metabolic acidosis — a serious imbalance in blood pH. Symptoms include:

• accelerated breathing;
• increased heart rate;
• persistent abdominal pain;
• damage to vision, which can lead to irreversible blindness.

Diagnosis and treatment

According to Abno (Brazilian Association of Neuro-ophthalmology), .

If you suspect ingestion or prolonged contact with methanol, do not induce vomiting and take the person urgently to the hospital. The sooner diagnosis and treatment are carried out, the lower the risk of death or serious consequences.

Treatment is with intravenous medications (fomepizole) which, like ethanol, can inhibit methanol metabolism, preventing the formation of formic acid, which causes the most serious sequelae. The patient may undergo gastric lavage and hemodialysis.

The risk of adulteration

According to the Federal Chemistry Council, the problem arises when methanol is used criminally in adulteration of alcoholic beverages.

Ingestion, inhalation or prolonged contact with methanol can cause immediate symptomssuch as nausea, dizziness, vomiting and central nervous system depression.

Prevention and control

To avoid poisoning, it is recommended:

• check the origin of purchased drinks;
• be wary of prices well below the market;
• Do not consume products without official registration.

With information from .