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Published Monday, January 18, 2021
Alert on cleaning and medical alcohol
contaminated with methanol
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Ministry of Health put out an alert about the sale of bottles of alcohol for cleaning and medical use contaminated with methanol.
The product is sold under the brand name Wash & CO Alcohol 80%. This methanol-containing product is the counterfeit version of the original product that was registered by another company.
The original product is utilized for cleaning and healing minor wounds. However, the counterfeit version is commonly misused as a drink.
According to the authorities, on Jan. 11 cases of people intoxicated by drinking the alcohol poisoned with methanol were detected, of these 7 have died, 6 men and 1 woman, with an age range of 25 to 72 years.
So far, there have been no reports of international tourists being affected by the wave of deaths and illnesses.
This month, ministry officials investigated 17 stores suspected of selling banned products for being contaminated with methanol.
As a result of the inspections, 54 types of products, 2,432 packaging units, have been seized. While in the ministry, labs analyzed 78 contaminated samples of alcoholic products.
Authorities report having investigated 21 complaints related to the detection of contaminated products, which were reported to the 911 hotline.
Several cases of smuggled liquor contaminated with methanol have been recorded throughout the year. The ministry established a health alert on the following ten liquor brands:
• Guaro Chonete
• Guaro Cuerazo
• Guaro Sacheto
• Guaro Gran Apache
• Estrella Roja Aguardiente
• Guaro Montano
• Barón Rojo Aguardiente
• Timbuka Aguardiente
• Molotov Aguardiente
• Guaro Fiesta Blanca
• and now Wash & CO Alcohol 80%
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, was originally produced by the distillation of wood, hence the name “wood alcohol.”
Methanol is sometimes created accidentally by bootleggers trying to produce ethanol, the type of alcohol usually found in beer, wine, and liquor. Sometimes, methanol is added to ethanol for boosting its effect.
Because of its toxic properties, methanol was frequently used as a denaturant additive for ethanol manufactured for industrial uses to prevent the liquid from being used for drinking.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can develop almost immediately after consumption. Symptoms include rapid drunkenness, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, severe headache, and lack of coordination.
Specialists make the following recommendations:
• Do not drink or buy liquor of the aforementioned brands until the alert is lifted.
• The sale of these products is forbidden until the alert is lifted.
• Report the sales of any of the mentioned products to the local police or 911 line.
If any person has had liquor from the aforementioned brands and is presenting health issues as severe vomiting, agitation, disorientation, blindness, or any other, immediately call 911.
In 2020, 48 people died poisoned by drinking methanol-tainted liquor.
Health authorities ask for people to report any suspicion of these liquor brands on sale, to the Judicial Investigation Organization confidential line 800-8000-645, or send complaints by email to dac.denuncias@misalud.go.cr or by calling the ministry at 2223-0333.
A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert with their contacts.
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Have you seen any of these brands on sale in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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