The Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro began this Thursday (2) inspection action in bars, restaurants, supermarkets, concert halls, kiosks and other points of sale of alcoholic beverages in the city. The measure aims to prevent possible cases of methanol poisoning, a highly toxic substance whose presence in tampered beverages has already caused hospitalizations and deaths in other states. To date, there are no notified cases of methanol poisoning in the municipality of Rio.
Surveys are being done by the Municipal Institute of Sanitary Surveillance (IVISA-Rio), with the support of Procon. The actions include verification of invoices, investigation of the origin of the drinks – mainly distilled – and sample collection for laboratory analysis, in partnership with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). In addition to acting at points of sale, the Secretariat issued a warning to the public and private health network so that cases of intoxication are immediately notified.
On the first day of the action, 20 teams traveled establishments in the neighborhoods of Barra da Tijuca, in the southwest zone; at Leblon, Gávea, Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema, in the South Zone; and in Tijuca, in the North Zone. Until late afternoon, 61 establishments were inspected and three banned for lack of hygiene. The rendering and collection of drink samples with inadequate labels were made.
“This situation with methanol is very serious. Therefore, we are starting a very rigorous inspection at the city’s beverage points of sale. We have also advised the public and private health facilities so that they are prepared to quickly notify and treat any suspicious case. The message is clear: there will be no tolerance in cases of tampering and methanol presence,” says the municipal secretary of health, Daniel Soranz.
Methanol intake can cause severe poisoning, even in small amounts. Among the most common symptoms are fainting, cloudy vision and seizures, which may arise hours after consumption.
In case of suspicion, the guidance is to seek a health unit immediately, since the faster the care, the greater the chances of reversal of the condition. Treatment may include administration of specific antidotes, made within the hospital environment and under medical monitoring.
The action will continue this Friday (3), with teams overseeing new establishments that sell alcohol, mainly distilled, such as whiskey, gin and vodka.
Medical emergency
Methanol poisoning is an extremely severity medical emergency. The substance, when ingested, is metabolized in the body in toxic products (such as formaldehyde and formic acid), which can lead to death.
The main symptoms of intoxication are: cloudy vision or vision loss (may reach blindness) and widespread malaise (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating).
In case of identification of symptoms, immediately seek emergency medical services and contact at least one of the following institutions:
Anvisa Dial-Intoxication: 0800 722 6001;
Ciatox of your city for specialized guidance (see list here); Link: https://www.gov.br/saude/en-/assuntos/saude-de-az/a/animalis-peconhentos/ciatox
São Paulo Poison Control Center (CCI): (11) 5012-5311 or 0800-771-3733-from anywhere in the country;
It is important to identify and guide possible contacts that have consumed the same drink, recommending that they immediately seek a health service for proper assessment and treatment. The delay in care and identification of intoxication increases the likelihood of the most severe outcome with the patient’s death.
