Patients from the municipality of Ribeira do Pombal, 290 km from Salvador, have already received an antidote; health surveillance closed the establishment that sold drinks
The (Bahia Health Department) confirmed that 7 people in the interior of the State are poisoned due to accidental ingestion of methanol.
According to the secretariat, the people were admitted on Tuesday (Dec 30, 2025) for observation at , in the municipality of Ribeira do Pombal, around 290 km from Salvador.
Confirmation of suspected poisoning was carried out by forensic experts, who verified the existence of methanol in distilled drinks consumed by the victims and the presence of the substance in blood samples.
The patients have already received an antidote against methanol poisoning. Health surveillance in the municipality closed the establishment that sold the drink.
In , Sesab advises that “The entire population of Bahia reinforces, especially during this period of festivities, the recommended measures when purchasing and consuming distilled drinks, making sure of the origin, the non-violation of packaging and security seals and the suitability of the establishments selling these drinks”.
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. Estimates that 30 mL of pure methanol can be lethal.
Effects on the body
The greatest danger of ingesting methanol is in late effectssays the CFQ. 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 also undergo gastric lavage and hemodialysis.
The risk of adulteration
According to the CFQ, 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 .
