Bulletin released on Thursday (Oct 9) says that 152 cases were discarded; 148 are still under investigation
The government of São Paulo (October 9, 2025) reports that there are 23 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning. After clinical and epidemiological analyses, SES-SP (São Paulo State Department of Health) ruled out 41 cases – that is, the total number of cases ruled out due to methanol poisoning rose to 152. In total, there are 171 cases of poisoning in the State, 148 of which are still under investigation.
According to a note, Operation Gota a Gota —to combat irregularities in the sale of distilled beverages— suspended on Thursday (Oct 9) the state registration of 7 suspicious establishments, bringing the total to 15 since the start of operations. The action of the Finance Department in partnership with the Civil Police inspected 13 establishments.
Also on Thursday (Oct 9), a task force banned 125 bottles from sale, seized 17 and discarded the contents of 6 in a clandestine wine cellar in Diadema, in ABC Paulista. Also in Diadema, a supermarket was inspected and 511 bottles of alcoholic beverages were banned from sale.
In the capital of São Paulo, a distributor that operated without a license was completely banned. The location had sanitary conditions considered inadequate, with products stored in the open and without protection.
In total, 13 establishments have already been closed and 26 locations inspected by State Health Surveillance teams, in partnership with municipal surveillance, Procon and the Civil Police.
NON-BRAZIL CASES
As of October 9, Brazil had registered 229 reports of methanol poisoning: 27 confirmed and 202 under investigation.
- confirmed cases: São Paulo (23), Paraná (3) and Rio Grande do Sul (1);
- cases under investigation: São Paulo (148), Pernambuco (24), Paraná (5), Rio de Janeiro (5), Rio Grande do Sul (4), Mato Grosso do Sul (4), Piauí (4), Espírito Santo (3), Goiás (2), Acre (1), Paraíba (1) and Rondônia (1).
Regarding the deaths, 11 are still being investigated: one in Mato Grosso do Sul, 3 in Pernambuco, 6 in São Paulo and one in Paraíba.
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 was 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 and paints. It is also present in antifreezes, glass cleaners and paint removers. In Brazil, one of the main applications is in the production of biodieselthrough transesterification.
LETHAL DOSAGE
The ingestion of 4 ml the 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 ORGANISM
The greatest danger of ingesting methanol appears in late effectsstates 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.
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