Methanol poisoning cause of Oinam Hooch tragedy

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 1

Methanol or methyl alcohol is the cause of death for the five individuals who drank spurious liquor. The state food testing laboratory conducted tests on the adulterated liquor consumed by the residents of Oinam Sawombung, the results has tested positive and methanol has been found.

The result was confirmed by the food analyst of the state health department, Sanajaoba. He told the Imphal Free Press that the samples were collected by the food safety officers and designated officers of Imphal West and Thoubal from the Oinam Sawombung area.

He said that four samples were collected; it also included some liquor which was left over from the individuals who drank it and were later hospitalised. Out of the four samples, three tested positive for methanol. The result was known today.

According to an expert, Methanol or wood alcohol is a highly poisonous chemical when ingested. The chemical is metabolised by the kidneys into formaldehyde and formic acid which attacks the central nervous system. It may lead to blindness, coma and death.

It may be mentioned that a local of Oinam Sawombung  Makha Leikai, Wangjam Herojit (35) son of W. Thoiba died on July 29 morning after drinking the spurious liquor brought from a local vendor.

Few hours before he died, he had claimed that his eyesight was getting blurred and started vomiting blood.

In the afternoon, Oinam Shyam (50) son of O. Tombi Singh who drank the same liquor died after getting the same symptoms. Till date, 5 persons have succumbed and 24 are still treated in the ICU out of the 79 persons hospitalized. Now, the fact is clear that these persons have drunk methanol laced liquor.

The treatment for methanol poisoning is said to be ethanol, ethanol or ethyl alcohol is the consumable chemical present in all types of liquor. According to Dr L. Sachindra of Shija hospital, ethanol is given to the patients suffering from methanol poisoning as the kidneys receive the ethanol first and repels the methanol without metabolizing it; as such it prevents the forming of poisonous chemicals and does not harm the body.

Pure ethanol is also injected to treat the poisoning besides conducting dialysis which is another method to treat the poisoning, he added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 1

Methanol or methyl alcohol is the cause of death for the five individuals who drank spurious liquor. The state food testing laboratory conducted tests on the adulterated liquor consumed by the residents of Oinam Sawombung, the results has tested positive and methanol has been found.

The result was confirmed by the food analyst of the state health department, Sanajaoba. He told the Imphal Free Press that the samples were collected by the food safety officers and designated officers of Imphal West and Thoubal from the Oinam Sawombung area.

He said that four samples were collected; it also included some liquor which was left over from the individuals who drank it and were later hospitalised. Out of the four samples, three tested positive for methanol. The result was known today.

According to an expert, Methanol or wood alcohol is a highly poisonous chemical when ingested. The chemical is metabolised by the kidneys into formaldehyde and formic acid which attacks the central nervous system. It may lead to blindness, coma and death.

It may be mentioned that a local of Oinam Sawombung  Makha Leikai, Wangjam Herojit (35) son of W. Thoiba died on July 29 morning after drinking the spurious liquor brought from a local vendor.

Few hours before he died, he had claimed that his eyesight was getting blurred and started vomiting blood.

In the afternoon, Oinam Shyam (50) son of O. Tombi Singh who drank the same liquor died after getting the same symptoms. Till date, 5 persons have succumbed and 24 are still treated in the ICU out of the 79 persons hospitalized. Now, the fact is clear that these persons have drunk methanol laced liquor.

The treatment for methanol poisoning is said to be ethanol, ethanol or ethyl alcohol is the consumable chemical present in all types of liquor. According to Dr L. Sachindra of Shija hospital, ethanol is given to the patients suffering from methanol poisoning as the kidneys receive the ethanol first and repels the methanol without metabolizing it; as such it prevents the forming of poisonous chemicals and does not harm the body.

Pure ethanol is also injected to treat the poisoning besides conducting dialysis which is another method to treat the poisoning, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://www.ifp.co.in/item/2447-methanol-poisoning-cause-of-oinam-hooch-tragedy