THE Sanitary Surveillance Center (CVS) of the State of São Paulo reported on Saturday (27) that two deaths from methanol intoxication in the state have been recorded since June – one in São Bernardo do Campo and another in São Paulo.
In the period, six cases of substance intoxication in the state were confirmed. The CVS reported that there are currently ten cases under investigation with suspected poisoning for consumption of contaminated drink in São Paulo.
“The recommendation is for bars, companies and other establishments to redouble attention to the origin of the products offered, and that the population only gets drinks from legalized manufacturers, label, safety seal and tax seal, avoiding dubious origin and preventing cases of intoxication that can put life at risk,” CVS said in a statement.
What is methanol
Methanol is a liquid, flammable and colorless substance.
It is widely used as a solvent in the manufacture of fuels, plastics, paints and medicines. It has great poisoning potential, and when consumed it can lead to death even in small doses.
The substance cannot be intended directly for human consumption.
Alert
The National Secretariat for Drug Policy and Asset Management (Senad), Ministry of Justice and Public Security, released an alert This Friday (26) After the state of São Paulo recorded cases of methanol poisoning, in the last 25 days, for the consumption of adulterated alcohol.
The cases were considered outside the standard because they occurred in a short period of time and also by the relationship with alcohol intake.
There were nine notifications sent to the Federal Government Alert System by the Campinas (SP) Center for Toxicological Information and Assistance (Ciatox), a reference unit in toxicology in the state and serving several municipalities from São Paulo.
“Ciatox has received, in the last two years, cases of methanol poisoning from fuel consumption by deliberate intake in substance abuse contexts, often associated with homeless people. However, according to notification, ingestion took place in social scenes of alcoholic consumption, including bars, and with different types of drink, such as gin, whiskey, vodka, among others. Unpublished records in the referred toxicological center, “Senad said.
The Secretariat draws attention to “epidemic outbreaks”.
“The scenario of tampering is particularly relevant from a public health point of view, as such episodes often result in epidemic outbreaks with multiple cases and high letters of lethality, affecting vulnerable population groups and requiring rapid response from health authorities,” the note added.
* Collaborated Guilherme Jeronymo, from São Paulo
