How to Avoid Drinking Spoiled Alcohol While Traveling
Homemade and fake alcoholic beverages can contain methanol, and the chemical has killed 19 people in Costa Rica this summer. Most of the alcohol you are likely to come across while on vacation is probably safe, but here are some precautions to keep in mind.
Methanol is a form of alcohol associated with alcohol consumption (ethanol), but more dangerous. It occurs naturally in small amounts in many alcoholic beverages – such as wine – and if not properly distilled during the preparation of spirits, they can have toxic levels of methanol. Methanol can also be specially added to drinks because it can cause an alcoholic “buzz” sensation and is cheaper than regular ethanol. In any case, I don’t feel like drinking it.
Pay attention to warnings
Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health recently warned residents and tourists that they had found methanol in bottles labeled Guaro Gran Apache, Red Star Brandy, Guaro Montano, Baron Red Brandy, Timbuka Brandy and Molotov Brandy “. “These brands are probably fine if you know the bottle in your hand is legal, but the Health Department says it looks like people are selling alcohol contaminated with methanol under these labels.
Spoiled alcohol is a worldwide problem: The Conversation has reported deaths in India, China and other countries related to contaminated or improperly produced alcohol. The drinks are believed to have been responsible for a series of recent deaths in the Dominican Republic , which are still under investigation. No matter where you go, watch out for warnings and avoid drinks rumored to be dangerous.
Avoid anything homemade or sketchy
Counterfeit and homemade alcoholic beverages are most commonly associated with methanol poisoning. The US Overseas Advisory Board suggests that every effort should be made to avoid them altogether. If the drink is surprisingly cheap, be suspicious.
Watch for symptoms and signs of poisoning.
The initial symptoms of methanol poisoning are similar to those of alcohol intoxication; The World Health Organization describes people in this stage as “sleepy, erratic, and disinhibited.” You will most likely only realize what is happening after many hours, and even then you may mistake the headache, vomiting, and dizziness from methanol poisoning for an ordinary hangover.
But methanol poisoning is much more serious. In addition to an extreme version of what you would expect from a night of drinking, symptoms of poisoning can include:
- Hyperventilation or shortness of breath
- Vision problems or blindness
- Coma
- Convulsions
If anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms, you should take them to the hospital, regardless of whether they have any tainted alcohol.