Silent Killer: Unmasking the Deadly Rise of Alcohol Poisoning in Iran – An Interview with Dr. Omid Mehrpour

In recent weeks, the tragic rise in deaths and poisonings due to counterfeit alcoholic beverages has become a significant concern. Emergency services in Zanjan province have reported that one person has died and five others have been poisoned in the region. Additionally, Etemad newspaper noted on Thursday, October 10th, that 41 people have lost their lives in Iran over the past ten days from alcohol poisoning. In total, 343 cases of poisoning and 41 deaths have been reported in the provinces of Mazandaran, Gilan, Hamadan, and Kurdistan.

We invited Dr. Omid Mehrpour, a distinguished medical toxicologist based in Tucson, AZ, to discuss the matter further.

Reporter: "Thank you for joining us. What are the symptoms of people poisoned by counterfeit alcoholic beverages, and how quickly should they seek medical attention to avoid severe complications?"

Dr. Mehrpour: "Thank you for having me. Poisoning from counterfeit alcohol, particularly methanol, presents very dangerous symptoms. Initial signs typically include nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, dizziness, and abdominal pain. One of the most alarming symptoms of methanol poisoning is blurred vision, which, in extreme cases, can lead to complete blindness. This is because methanol is metabolized into formaldehyde and formic acid, which is highly toxic to the optic nerve and other body parts.

If individuals seek medical help within 24 hours after ingesting counterfeit alcohol, they stand a much better chance of avoiding serious complications and even death. Early treatment, typically involving antidotes like ethanol or fomepizole, can neutralize methanol's effects by preventing its toxic conversion. This can also be coupled with dialysis to remove methanol from the bloodstream. Delayed treatment, however, may result in irreversible damage such as kidney failure, brain damage, or permanent blindness."

Reporter: "Is there any method to differentiate methanol from ethanol without lab tests, and how can people avoid poisoning?"

Dr. Mehrpour: "Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to distinguish methanol from ethanol without specialized lab equipment. The two are similar in appearance, smell, and taste, making traditional methods like smelling or tasting unreliable and highly dangerous. As a result, many people inadvertently consume methanol, thinking it's ethanol, without knowing the serious risks they face.

The only reliable way to differentiate between methanol and ethanol is through laboratory tests, such as gas chromatography or spectrophotometry, which can precisely separate the two. For this reason, individuals must avoid consuming unregulated or homemade alcoholic beverages that aren't produced under sanitary and safety standards. These drinks may contain methanol, leading to life-threatening poisoning."

Reporter: "Some media in Iran have speculated that the simultaneous occurrences of alcohol poisoning in different provinces could be intentional, suggesting it may be a form of biochemical attack. What is your take on this?"

Dr. Mehrpour: "While such rumors exist, there is currently no scientific basis or credible evidence to support the idea that these poisonings are part of a biochemical attack. Most of the reported cases of simultaneous alcohol poisoning across different provinces are due to the widespread circulation of counterfeit alcohol and inadequate oversight of production and distribution.

In many instances, illegal manufacturers use methanol instead of ethanol to cut costs and increase profits, as methanol is cheaper and more readily available. When these counterfeit alcoholic beverages are widely distributed in the market, large numbers of people across different regions can fall victim to poisoning. These events are primarily driven by economic factors, a lack of access to safe, regulated alcoholic beverages, and poor regulatory enforcement rather than a coordinated biochemical attack.

 

Reference:

توضیحات امید مهرپور، سم‌شناس بالینی، درباره موارد فزاینده مسمومیت‌های الکلی در ایران (youtube.com)