A deadly substitute for ethyl alcohol 5 letters. A deadly substitute for ethyl alcohol

Ethyl alcohol poisoning (wine spirit, ethanol) can occur when drinking any alcoholic beverages, since they all contain it in varying concentrations. But more often, strong drinks become the “culprits”: vodka, cognac, whiskey, etc. It is necessary to distinguish between ethanol poisoning and surrogate alcohol containing toxic substances. This article will consider the toxic properties of pure alcohol, without "aggravating" impurities.

Causes of poisoning

Obviously, the cause of ethyl alcohol poisoning is its immoderate intake into the body, as a rule, orally and at the will of the poisoned person. Drinking alcohol, absorbed in the digestive tract, enters the bloodstream. Its concentration in the blood determines the body's response and the degree of its poisoning.

• the content of 1.5-2.5 g of ethanol per liter of blood provokes average intoxication;
• 2.5-3.0 g / l - severe intoxication;
• a concentration exceeding 3.0 g / l is fraught with severe poisoning, up to death;
• overcoming the threshold of 5.0 g/l is classified as fatal poisoning.

The concentration of ethanol in the blood depends not only on the amount of alcohol drunk, but also on the duration of the period in which it was received, the degree of fullness of the stomach, the accompanying food and drink, as well as the person's weight and other physical features.

A single lethal dose is considered to be the intake of 4 g of 96% ethyl alcohol per kg of body weight, which averages 300 g of ethanol. But in chronic alcoholics, this limit is much higher - 8-12 g / kg or more.

The toxic effect of ethanol on organs and systems

Ethyl alcohol that enters the blood is distributed throughout the body, being included in metabolic processes and having a negative impact on the functioning of all organs and systems.

Brain

The concentration of ethyl alcohol in the tissues of the brain always exceeds its content in the blood.

The brain can be called a target for alcohol intake, because alcohol is consumed in order to get brain reactions in the form of a sedative effect, emancipation, a feeling of euphoria.

However, without proper self-control in taking alcoholic beverages, these reactions are soon followed by disorders of the emotional state, coordination of movements, vision, and speech. At the next stages of brain poisoning, a coma and a high risk of death await the poisoned person.

In case of poisoning with ethyl alcohol, there is a massive death of nerve cells of the cerebral cortex, ruptures of capillaries, and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain) is significantly increased.

In persons who regularly abuse the intake of ethyl alcohol, organic changes in the cerebral cortex are observed, due to the death of neurons and the appearance of areas of necrosis. There is a decrease in brain volume, deterioration of cognitive functions and memory.

Liver

The function of the liver is to neutralize and remove alcohol from the body, so when ethanol is poisoned, it suffers especially hard. Large doses of ethyl alcohol cause acute toxic hepatitis - an inflammatory disease that leads to the death of liver cells and their replacement with adipose tissue.

With the systematic abuse of ethyl alcohol, chronic toxic hepatitis develops. This disease may not manifest itself for years and is often diagnosed when its incurable complications have already developed - cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, hepatic coma.

Alcohol intoxication is usually accompanied by acute pain in the stomach, diarrhea. But large doses of ethyl alcohol are especially dangerous for the pancreas, as they can cause a fatal disease - necrotizing pancreatitis.

Irritating the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, ethanol causes their inflammation, its regular intake can lead to gastritis, stomach ulcers. In persons prone to alcoholism, cancer of the esophagus, rectum is twice as likely to develop, and the incidence of stomach cancer is increased.

The cardiovascular system

At a high concentration of ethyl alcohol in the blood, erythrocytes are destroyed, which gave reason to classify this substance as a hemolytic poison. People who regularly consume ethanol in excess of 30 g per day have a high risk of developing hemolytic anemia (anemia). They also increase “bad cholesterol”, increase the likelihood of alcoholic cardiomyopathy and heart rhythm disturbances.

genitourinary system

When ethanol enters the bloodstream, it tends to concentrate in the pelvic organs. Its especially high content is observed in testicles, semen and prostate secretions. Alcohol poisons germ cells and can cause genetic mutations in them. In pregnant women, ethyl alcohol easily crosses the placenta, having a toxic effect on the embryo or fetus. In nursing, alcohol toxins pass into the milk.

Signs of alcohol intoxication

Acute poisoning with ethyl alcohol is manifested when the content in the blood is from 3 g / l of ethanol. But even at lower rates, the body experiences the toxic effects of alcohol. Signs of intoxication are nothing more than symptoms of ethanol poisoning of the body.

A mild degree of intoxication is characterized by euphoria, as well as manifestations of a disorder of the autonomic nervous system: agitation, hyperhidrosis, flushing of the face, etc. After the onset of a sober state, these phenomena disappear without a trace.

When moderately intoxicated, coordination of movements and orientation in space are disturbed, spinal reflexes are suppressed, visual disturbances, and speech difficulties appear. Self-control disappears, hidden, often negative, personality traits appear, an overestimation of one's own capabilities is characteristic. As a rule, this condition ends with sleep and a hangover after waking up - headache, dry mouth, weakness, lack of appetite.

Symptoms of acute alcohol poisoning

If you can cope with the consequences of mild ethyl alcohol poisoning on your own, then acute alcohol poisoning poses a serious threat to the life of the poisoned person and requires immediate assistance. Its symptoms are:

• cold sweat;
• drop in body temperature and blood pressure;
• spontaneous urination;
• loss of consciousness.

Alcoholic coma can be superficial and deep. With a superficial coma, consciousness is partially lost, the poisoned person reacts to the smell of ammonia or a needle prick. The most serious condition is a deep coma, when reactions to external stimuli are completely absent. In this case, rare breathing and a weak pulse, coldness and stickiness of the skin, vomiting and spontaneous urination are observed.

The state of deep coma requires urgent hospitalization and resuscitation. If medical assistance is not provided in a timely manner, death may occur due to heart failure, respiratory arrest, cessation of the functioning of vital organs.

First aid for poisoning

A person under the influence of alcohol is at increased risk of injury due to problems with coordination, as well as due to an exaggerated assessment of their own capabilities. In addition, he is at risk of hypothermia and asphyxia due to ingestion of vomit into the respiratory tract. Therefore, he needs the attention of others.

But the biggest threat to life is acute alcohol poisoning, especially in the case of a coma. When symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication appear, it is urgent to call an ambulance. Before her arrival, you can try to induce vomiting, but only if the poisoned person is in a conscious state. With symptoms of coma, you need:

• urgently call an ambulance;
• lay the poisoned person, always on his side, so that when vomiting, the ingress of vomit into the trachea is excluded;
• cover with a warm blanket;
• give a sniff of ammonia;
• ventilate the room to ensure sufficient oxygen supply.

Treatment of acute alcohol poisoning

In the conditions of a medical institution, first of all, the stomach is washed through a probe until clean water comes out. Then droppers are placed with a solution of glucose, thiamine bromide, vitamin C, pyridoxine. In cases of respiratory arrest, the victim is connected to a ventilator. After emergency care, alkalizing therapy is performed and symptomatic treatment is prescribed.

Unfortunately, the antidote (antidote) of alcoholic toxins has not yet been found. Such a versatile sorbent as Activated carbon, in case of poisoning with ethyl alcohol, it is not very effective.

Prevention of alcohol intoxication

To prevent acute ethyl alcohol poisoning, as well as its negative impact on health, the following recommendations must be followed:

• It is better to abandon the systematic use of alcohol in any doses. The view that existed for some time about the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption for the cardiovascular system has not been confirmed in studies. Therefore, now scientists do not recommend starting the intake of the same red wine in order to improve health;
• persons who drink alcohol are not recommended to exceed consumption rates of 24 g of 96% ethanol per day for men and 12 g for women;
• during pregnancy breastfeeding, driving vehicles, as well as persons with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, a complete ban on alcohol is recommended.

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Methyl alcohol

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1. What can alcohol be made from?

The raw materials of alcohol production are divided into starch-containing and sugary. Traditionally, edible ethyl alcohol is produced industrially from grain, sugar beet malasse (waste from sugar production), sugar beets and potatoes.

Ethyl alcohol is divided into food ethyl alcohol and technical ethyl alcohol. Technical ethyl alcohol is obtained from wood or oil by chemical hydrolysis. This alcohol must not be used in Food Industry . Food ethyl alcohol is the main raw material for the production of vodkas, alcoholic beverages, and is often used as an auxiliary raw material. Edible alcohol, depending on the degree of purification, is produced in the following varieties: "Lux", "Extra", the highest purification, 1st grade. The quality of alcohol primarily depends on the quality of products made on its basis.

2. Is it true that industrial and food grade ethyl alcohol can be made from anything?

Edible ethyl alcohol can be produced from any plant material that contains a high amount of starch or sugar and is well stored (grain, potatoes, sugar beets, molasses).
Technical ethyl alcohol is mainly produced from oil and raw materials containing cellulose (fiber).

3. How is the quality of ethyl alcohol measured?

One of the main indicators of the quality of alcohol is organoleptic indicators (by color, transparency, taste and smell), which are determined during the tasting process, when special reference samples of rectified spirits are used.

The quality of ethyl alcohol is determined by its physical and chemical parameters: alcohol content (strength), content of aldehydes, fusel oil, free acids, esters, methyl alcohol and furfural (it is these indicators that determine the safety of alcohol), purity, oxidizability. Even small concentrations of impurities in alcohol affect the organoleptic characteristics of alcohol and the quality of vodkas from it. Most of the above impurities are highly toxic. The lethal dose of alcohol impurities per 1 kg of live weight is: furfural - 0.19 g, allyl alcohol - 0.63; acetaldehyde - 0.14; isobutyl alcohol - 1.45; propyl alcohol - 3.4 g.

4. What is the highest quality ethyl alcohol made of?

Of all types of plant food raw materials, potatoes are most responsible for technological requirements alcohol production: has the largest number starch.

According to regulatory documents, the following classification of ethyl alcohol has been adopted:

• raw ethyl alcohol(DSTU 4222: 2003);
• rectified ethyl alcohol(DSTU 4221: 2003);
• drinking ethyl alcohol- 95%, which is made by diluting rectified alcohol of the highest purity with softened water to a strength of 95 * 0.2% vol.

Depending on the type of raw material, alcohol is divided into technical and food alcohol. Technical alcohol is made from wood or oil by chemical hydrolysis, its use prohibited for food purposes.

Edible alcohol, depending on the degree of purification, is produced in the following varieties: "Lux", "Extra", the highest purification, 1st grade.

5. How can ethyl alcohol or vodka be adulterated?

The purpose of identification is to identify and confirm the authenticity of a particular type of product name, as well as compliance with certain requirements or information about it indicated on the label and / or in the shipping documents.

The end result of identification is of an alternative nature: either conformity or non-compliance of the goods with certain requirements is revealed. A negative result during identification indicates falsification of goods.

Thus, falsification is one of the possible results of identification. These two concepts are interrelated in the general problem of the quality of goods, the relevance of which has increased in recent years.

The dilution of alcoholic beverages with water or the complete replacement of transparent drinks (alcohol, vodka, white wines, tinctures and liqueurs) with it is the most common gross method of falsification, which is easy to detect by the organoleptic method (by taste and smell). Consumer buying alcoholic drinks, does not have the ability to check upon purchase, and can only do this at home, when it is almost impossible to make claims to the seller and the manufacturer, especially if the purchase was made on an unorganized market.

6. How can you identify counterfeit?

There are three ways to detect falsification with ethyl technical alcohol:

• organoleptic;
• physical;
• chemical.

The most accessible method for detecting falsification for the average consumer is organoleptic. The organoleptic method determines the taste and smell of alcoholic beverages. The presence of extraneous fusel flavors and odors may indicate that the drink is dangerous. However, it is possible to determine the presence of foreign bites and odors only at an increased concentration of harmful impurities. Small but dangerous doses of harmful impurities are difficult to identify. The organoleptic method, despite its apparent simplicity and accessibility, is not highly accurate; a high professionalism of the researcher is needed to obtain correct results.

The most reliable results in the determination of harmful impurities are given by physical and chemical test methods. Some of these methods are listed below.

With the greatest probability and high accuracy, qualitatively and quantitatively, the presence of any impurities in alcohol, wines and liquor products can be checked by gas and liquid chromatography methods, which make it possible to determine up to several tens of various foreign additives and impurities. Modern chromatographs and chromatomas spectrometers, provided with computer systems and a data bank, allow for a few minutes to carry out a complete qualitative and quantitative analysis of the drink for the presence of organic impurities in it, including components of fusel oils, methyl alcohol, aldehydes, ketones, esters and other compounds. However, such an analysis is possible only in specialized laboratories with special expensive equipment and trained personnel.

At the same time, there are a number of methods, many of which are standardized and allow the qualitative and quantitative determination of fusel oils, furfural, aldehydes and ketones in conventional chemical laboratories or even at home with the necessary reagents.

The dilution of alcoholic beverages (partial replacement with water) is quite easy to establish if the dilution is significant (more than 30%). With a slight dilution of alcoholic beverages with water, it is not easy to detect falsification by the organoleptic method. In this case, it is better to use a physical method for determining the density using an alcohol meter.

7. Here are the stories, when people get poisoned because of vodka, why does this happen?

Cases of group poisoning with a fatal outcome and serious health consequences have been recorded in many regions of Ukraine, including Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region.

The main harm to the life and health of consumers is caused by falsification of all alcoholic beverages by partial or complete replacement of edible ethyl alcohol with technical ethyl alcohol containing an increased amount of fusel oils, methyl alcohol, aldehydes, ketones, esters, furfural, which can cause poisoning of varying severity, up to death. In addition, with the use of methyl alcohol, partial or complete loss of vision is possible.

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Handbook Forensic Medical Examination

Poisoning by alcohol substitutes and technical liquids

The widespread introduction of chemistry into production and everyday life has led to the emergence of a large number of products called technical liquids, some of which can be used for the purpose of intoxication. Such a peculiar replacement of ethyl alcohol with technical liquids, some of which belong to the class of alcohols, gave rise to a motley picture of all kinds of poisoning, and the technical liquids themselves began to be called "surrogates" of alcohol.

Methyl alcohol(methanol, wood alcohol, carbinol) is widely used in industry as a solvent. It resembles ethyl alcohol in color, smell and taste. Poisoning with it is currently relatively rare, mainly household poisoning, when poison is mistakenly used instead of ethyl alcohol inside. Occasionally there are cases of mass poisoning in industries using methyl alcohol as a technical fluid.

Methyl alcohol is a strong neurovascular poison. Severe poisoning can occur after ingestion of 7-10 ml. The lethal dose ranges from 30 to 100 ml and above. It should be noted the pronounced individual sensitivity of the body to methyl alcohol. Cases of death after taking already 5 ml and recovery after drinking 250-500 ml are described. Persons who have undergone large doses of methyl alcohol are often a source of false information about its "harmlessness", which contributes to its use for the purpose of intoxication.

Methyl alcohol is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It oxidizes in the body several times slower than ethyl alcohol. The special toxicity of methyl alcohol is associated both with its slow oxidation and with the toxic products of its oxidation (formaldehyde, formic acid). Methyl alcohol in the blood after poisoning is detected within 3-4 days. About 60% of the incoming dose is excreted in the exhaled air, about 10% in the urine. Its excretion by the kidneys occurs within about 3 days, formic acid - in 5-6 days.

The course of poisoning depends on the dose taken and the sensitivity of the body to it. After taking the poison, a kind of euphoria sets in rather quickly, which, unlike alcohol intoxication, is not accompanied by pronounced excitement or high spirits, but rather resembles a hangover state with headache, lethargy, impaired coordination of movements, etc. This state is quickly replaced by heavy sleep. After sleep, the victims feel well. Such a hidden period of imaginary well-being lasts up to 1 day. Then come a sharp general malaise, dizziness, muscle weakness, pain in the lower back and abdomen. Victims during this period may fall into a state of intense excitement or suddenly lose consciousness. There is a sharp decrease in vision, which in severe poisoning ends in blindness. Death usually occurs in a state of deep coma due to paralysis of the respiratory center. Without timely medical care, death usually occurs on the third day. When recovering, the victims often have persistent visual impairment up to complete blindness, functional inferiority of the liver, etc.

When examining a corpse, a picture is usually determined that is characteristic of a rapidly occurring death. The longest methyl alcohol is in the cerebrospinal fluid - from 3 to 12 and even up to 45 days.

Raw alcohol is a fermentation product of sugar. Rectificate is obtained from it by purification, which is used, in particular, for the preparation of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol surrogates, in addition to ethyl alcohol, contain a large amount of impurities harmful to the human body, in particular fusel oils, consisting of higher alcohols (isoamyl, butyl, isobutyl, isopropyl, etc.). Especially toxic are amyl alcohols, which make up more than a third of fusel oils. Compared to ethyl alcohol, they have greater narcotic power and greater toxicity.

propyl alcohols are also used as solvents for synthetic resins and other substances. By the general nature of the action on the human body, they resemble ethyl alcohol. Cases of fatal poisoning after taking 300 ml or more of poison are known. They are quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and within a few minutes after ingestion appear in the blood and quickly accumulate in the body, in particular in the brain. Propyl alcohols and their metabolites (propyl and lactic acids, acetone) are excreted from the body with exhaled air, urine, and feces. With a blood content of approximately 15 ‰ isopropyl alcohol, a coma and death can occur.

At autopsy, only signs of a rapidly occurring death are noted. One of the propyl alcohol metabolites, acetone, can be detected in the urine for up to 4 days even after taking a small amount of isopropyl alcohol.

Butyl alcohols- colorless liquids with a characteristic alcohol smell. They are used as solvents in perfumery, the pharmaceutical industry and in a number of other industries, in particular for the manufacture of BSK brake fluid containing 50% butyl alcohol. The lethal dose when taken orally is 200-250 ml, although individual sensitivity fluctuations are quite significant.

Butyl alcohol gives a narcotic effect, while the central nervous system is affected. When ingested, a short-term state of intoxication develops, which after 3-4 hours turns into drowsiness, apathy, later there is a decrease in vision, flickering of "flies" in the eyes. Kidney function is impaired. In the absence of appropriate treatment, a coma usually develops within 2 days and the patient dies.

At autopsy, signs of a rapidly occurring death are revealed; from the internal organs there is a smell of butyl alcohol.

Amyl alcohols- yellowish liquids with a characteristic fusel odor. Poisoning is observed both when taking raw alcohol and when using ASA brake fluid containing 50% amyl alcohol. When taken by mouth, a lethal dose is about 20-30 ml of pure amyl alcohol. Alcohol intoxication when taking ethyl alcohol, even with a small admixture of amyl alcohol, is characterized by a severe course.

By the nature of the impact on the body, amyl alcohols are drugs. First of all, the central nervous system is affected and paralysis of the vital centers of the brain stem occurs. After ingestion, amyl alcohol circulates in the blood for several hours, is excreted through the lungs, with urine. Poisoning is characterized by general weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, burning sensation along the esophagus and abdominal pain. After a few minutes, there is confusion, stupor, cyanosis is growing. Death occurs in a state of severe coma. The picture of poisoning depends to a large extent on the concentration of amyl alcohol in the liquid drunk. The main morphological changes are observed in the gastrointestinal tract. The contents of the stomach have a fuselous odor.

Denatured alcohol used as technical alcohol. It contains a significant amount of impurities, in particular methyl alcohol, which makes it highly toxic.

ethylene glycol- dihydric alcohol, is widely used as one of the main components of antifreeze, brake fluids. To combat icing, it is used in the form of an aqueous 55% solution (B2 antifreeze).

Acute poisoning with ethylene glycol occurs when it is taken orally as a surrogate for alcohol. Mortality in severe poisoning reaches 90-100%. By the nature of the action on the body, ethylene glycol is a neurovascular and protoplasmic poison. In the course of poisoning, several periods are distinguished - latent, brain phenomena and renal and hepatic lesions. After taking ethylene glycol, mild intoxication occurs. Then symptoms of damage to the central nervous system and kidneys develop, general weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions, loss of consciousness. In severe poisoning, death occurs on the 1-3rd day. The lethal dose is 150 g and above.

The toxicity of ethylene glycol is associated with the rapid formation of intermediate metabolic products (glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, etc.). Death occurs in most cases due to the development of acute renal failure. In such cases, at the autopsy of the dead, characteristic changes in the kidneys and liver are revealed. An increase in the size and weight of the kidneys (up to 600 g), hydropic degeneration of the epithelium of the convoluted tubules of the kidneys, necrotic nephrosis with focal hemorrhages, bilateral cortical nephrosis and oxalate crystals in the kidneys are noted.

The liver is enlarged, its mass reaches 2200-2400 g, on cuts the liver has a "nutmeg" appearance, centrilobular dystrophy and necrosis are expressed in it.

Tetraethyl lead(TES) - an organic compound of lead. It is an oily volatile liquid that evaporates easily. It is included in the amount of 54-58% in the composition of various liquids, which are added as antiknock agents to low-octane gasoline grades. TES easily evaporates even at temperatures below 0 °C. Vapors are much heavier than air, and therefore they accumulate in the lower parts of the premises. It dissolves well in fats, lipids, organic solvents.

Acute TES poisoning occurs when leaded gasoline is mistakenly taken orally; by inhalation of its vapors (when using liquids containing TES as a solvent for paints, for washing hands, cleaning clothes, etc.); as a result of TPP absorption through intact skin. Possible poisoning by the exhaust gases of vehicles running on leaded gasoline, as well as vapors when washing hot parts of the car engine with leaded gasoline in order to clean it. Recently, in connection with the partial replacement of thermal power plants with other, less toxic antiknock agents, the number of poisonings with them has significantly decreased.

In case of oral poisoning with ethyl liquid, the lethal dose is 10-15 ml. Severe poisoning by inhalation of vapors can occur even in cases of maximum permissible concentrations - MPC (0.005 mg / m 3). TES and its metabolic products can remain in the body for a long time (up to 3 months). Excretion occurs in urine and feces.

Poisoning is characterized by a complex lesion of the central nervous system.

At the autopsy of those who died from acute TES poisoning, morphological changes are found mainly in the structural formations of the CNS. There are dystrophic and necrobiotic changes in the nerve cells of the optic tubercle, the hypothalamic region, and the cerebral cortex. When examined under a microscope, the brain and its membranes are plethoric, moderately edematous. In other internal organs, there is a picture of congestive plethora, dystrophic changes, with a prolonged course, catarrhal-hemorrhagic pneumonia develops.

Acetone(dimethyl ketone) is a colorless liquid with a characteristic odor. Mixes well with water; soluble in organic solvents. It is a good solvent for many substances. Acute poisoning is possible by inhalation of high concentration vapors and ingestion. It is taken orally more often by negligence, sometimes while intoxicated. Recently, substance abuse has become widespread by bringing oneself into a state of intoxication with the help of acetone vapors. Most often, alcoholics and drug addicts turn to this remedy in search of euphoria.

The lethal dose for oral poisoning ranges from 60-75 ml. The toxic effect increases significantly when acetone is taken in a mixture with organochlorine and other organic substances due to the possibility of the formation of very toxic substances - chloroacetone and bromoacetone. By the nature of the toxic effect, acetone is classified as a drug. It affects various parts of the central nervous system, actively inhibits oxidative enzymes. Excreted from the body through the lungs, kidneys and skin.

In case of oral poisoning, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain appear, in severe cases, loss of consciousness occurs within a few minutes. Cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes is noted, tendon reflexes are absent, the pupils are constricted, do not react to light, the smell of acetone is felt from the mouth. Within 45-60 minutes after taking the liquid, respiratory arrest is possible. In severe cases, death can occur within 6-12 hours after ingestion of the liquid.

Acute severe inhalation poisoning can occur when the content of acetone in the air is 0.003 g / l - loss of consciousness, convulsions, kidney damage, visual disturbances, a sharp increase in blood sugar concentration.

At autopsy, congestive plethora of internal organs, pulmonary edema, membranes and brain matter, dark tarry blood in the cavities of the heart and large vessels are noted.

Dichloroethane used as a solvent and extractant, as an insecticide and fungicide, in everyday life - for cleaning clothes and other purposes. Ingestion of 20 ml of dichloroethane causes a picture of severe poisoning, often ending in death.

The nature of the clinical picture of poisoning depends on the dose of the poison and the routes of entry. Already 10-15 minutes after ingestion of one or more sips of dichloroethane (10-12 ml or more), complaints of headache, sweet taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, severe weakness, dizziness, unsteady gait, pain in the epigastric region and right hypochondrium. Subsequently, a coma develops and, in severe forms of poisoning, death occurs (coma often develops after taking 50 ml or more of dichloroethane). Approximately half of those poisoned by dichloroethane die.

Diagnosis of poisoning with dichloroethane is based on the clinical picture of poisoning, the presence of a specific smell of dichloroethane in exhaled air and vomit, a chemical study of washings, vomit, blood, urine, autopsy data and the results of a forensic chemical determination of poison in the organs of a corpse.

To establish poisoning with other chlorinated hydrocarbons, the same research methods are used. For forensic chemical research, it is desirable to take adipose tissue.

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How to distinguish ethyl alcohol from methyl

Methyl alcohol (methanol) refers to ethanol surrogates - these are inferior substitutes for alcohol, which are often used as alcoholic beverages. This is the so-called false surrogate, which normally does not contain ethanol, but also has a narcotic effect on a drunk person.

How to distinguish ethyl alcohol from methyl? The first type of substance refers to food and medical, that is, it is used to treat the skin, and in some cases inside. Methanol, on the contrary, is only industrial alcohol, which is added to solvents, products household chemicals i.e. it is not suitable for drinking.

Distinguish between methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol appearance impossible! They are identical in taste, smell and color. Methanol has a slightly weaker smell, but only a professional can understand this. The difference can only be determined empirically.

1. If you boil two liquids and measure the boiling point, you can find that ethanol boils at a higher - 78 ° C (methyl has less - only 64 ° C).
2. With normal ignition, the color of the flame of methanol is green, for ethanol it is blue.
3. The most indicative sample with copper wire. To do this, it is heated on fire and immersed in the investigated liquid. Methanol will have a strong unpleasant odor. Ethanol will produce a light aroma of rotten apples.

It is clear that such experiments are rarely carried out by those who decide to drink this substance.

How does methyl alcohol work

The causes of methanol poisoning are not only the use of a prohibited substance, but also its further destructive effect in the body.

Absorbed in the stomach almost instantly, it turns into formic acid and formaldehyde, which in small concentrations are toxic to all organ systems, destroying cells and blocking their work. Since almost 90% of the substance is excreted by the kidneys, the urinary system is affected instantly. This is why it is dangerous to use even a small amount of methyl alcohol.

The work of the nervous system is disrupted, problems with the gastrointestinal tract appear, and with a large amount of the substance ingested, death quickly occurs.

Symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning

Early signs of methyl alcohol poisoning include:

These are also signs of acute methyl alcohol poisoning. Late symptoms are much more severe.

Emergency care for methyl alcohol poisoning

Emergency care for methyl alcohol poisoning consists in correcting disorders of the heart, breathing and kidneys. It is impossible to carry out all these medical manipulations at home, therefore, if methanol poisoning is suspected, a person should be immediately taken to the hospital.

At the pre-hospital stage, in the first hours of the action of the substance, it is not recommended to give activated charcoal, it will not have the desired effect, since methanol is absorbed very quickly. The situation is more favorable if a person, along with a poisonous substance, consumed fatty foods. In this case, absorption slows down.

What is recommended to wash the stomach in case of poisoning with methyl alcohol? Before the arrival of specialized help, you can rinse the stomach with a tubeless method. To do this, the victim is given to drink 500-700 ml warm water(and no other liquid), isotonic saline is used in children table salt. Then, with a spoon or spatula, they irritate the root of the tongue, causing vomiting. This is the kind of help that can be provided to a person at home.

• 30% ethanol, which can be taken orally or intravenously under medical supervision;
• folic acid inside;
• 4-methylpyrazole intravenously.

Treatment of methyl alcohol poisoning

Further therapy takes place in the intensive care or toxicology department of the hospital. What is used for:

• saline laxative through a tube, warm the body;
• enter vitamins of group B, ATP, Riboxin, Prednisolone, vitamin E subcutaneously, nicotinic acid;
• symptomatic substances are used: Reopoliglyukin, glucose, sodium bicarbonate are prescribed intravenously;
• in the event of seizures in case of poisoning with methyl alcohol, Piracetam and Sodium hydroxybutyrate with Unithiol are prescribed for treatment.

Consequences of methyl alcohol poisoning

The use of methyl alcohol can have long-term consequences. These include:

Accidental use of methyl alcohol, even in small quantities, leads to a deterioration in the functioning of all body systems. To do this, it is not necessary to drink 2-3 glasses of liquid, for some, only 30 ml of the substance is enough. Lethal dose - no more than 100 ml. You should not experiment on the body, because even the survivors most often become disabled.

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Lethal dose of alcohol

For a non-drinking white male weighing 70 kg:

• 300 ml pure alcohol
• How much alcohol is in 750 ml vodka drunk within five hours or less.

For regular non-alcoholic drinkers:

• approximately 600 ml of pure alcohol or 3 bottles of vodka drunk within five hours or less.

Lethal dose of alcohol.

In fatal alcohol poisoning, death occurs in an unconscious state from cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest. A fatal overdose of alcohol can be suspected if unconsciousness lasts more than six hours after drinking alcohol. As a rule, nothing can be done at such times.

Please note that it is almost impossible to drink a lethal dose of alcohol without a hearty snack. Most often, too heavy and plentiful snack at the table leads to an alcohol overdose. If a person eats moderately and competently, and at the same time drinks a lot, then before the lethal dose is taken, he simply loses consciousness, and this saves his life. The body has time to react in time, when nothing prevents the timely absorption and processing of alcohol.

A plentiful snack accumulates in the intestines along with drunk alcohol, alcohol does not have time to be absorbed, and it seems to a person that he drank much less than he actually did. He feels the strength to drink more. And when the drunk alcohol is finally absorbed and enters the bloodstream, the body is unable to cope with so many toxic substances.

pohmelje.ru

Methyl alcohol: basic information

The monohydric alcohol, which is denoted by the chemical formula CH3OH, is called methanol. In appearance, it is a clear liquid with a specific aroma.

This substance is used for the manufacture of paints and varnishes and solvents. In addition, wood alcohol is used in the creation of medicines, automotive fluids, perfumes and other chemicals.

Methyl hydroxide is obtained from methane due to its oxidation and other reactions. Methane is a colorless explosive gas. Methanol is often used instead of ethanol, as their properties are similar. However, the first substance is not recommended for use during production. food products.

Methyl hydroxide interacts well with water and ethers. Wood alcohol is often mixed with ethyl alcohol to create perfume products. In its pure form, methanol is found in essential oils(jasmine, gaultheria).

Often, a dangerous substance is part of alcoholic beverages that are made clandestinely. To be poisoned with methyl alcohol, it is enough to breathe a small amount of its fumes.

After penetration into the human body, methanol decomposes into formic acid and formaldehyde. These substances are incredibly dangerous, as they disrupt the functionality of the heart, kidneys and liver. In addition, wood alcohol disrupts the functionality of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Methyl alcohol quickly penetrates into the bloodstream, and is very slowly excreted. As a result, a person develops hypoxia, the acidity of the body increases.

Wood alcohol poisoning methods

Intoxication occurs when methyl alcohol enters the body. This is possible when a person consumes products containing methanol or at the time of inhalation of the vapors of this substance.

The likelihood of intoxication increases when a person consumes alcohol without a license. This is due to the fact that some alcohol producers, in order to save money, replace ethyl alcohol with methyl alcohol. For this reason, it is not recommended to buy products of dubious quality; it is necessary to check licenses and quality certificates. It is best to buy alcohol in specialized outlets who have verified suppliers.

The risk group for methanol poisoning includes vehicle drivers. This is because they constantly use different liquids containing wood alcohol. Intoxication can occur when a person inhales the vapors of antifreeze glass cleaner, which is often methyl hydroxide added.

Also, the likelihood of poisoning is high in people who work in the chemical industry. Some paints, varnishes, solvents contain methyl alcohol. Intoxication occurs if a person does not follow the safety rules.

Why is methanol dangerous: a clinical picture

After poisoning with wood alcohol, unpleasant symptoms appear in the body. When a substance enters the body by the oral route, it primarily accumulates in the liver. This process only takes a few minutes.

The first symptoms of methanol poisoning appear 8 hours after it enters the body:

Methanol has a negative effect on the entire human body, in particular, on the nervous, cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, organs of hearing and vision. After poisoning with this substance, vision is greatly reduced, and few manage to restore it.

After the penetration of methanol into the body, the victim sees objects around, as if blurry. Visual acuity decreases approximately 24 hours after intoxication, then the following symptoms appear:

The severity of these symptoms depends on the dose of methanol that has entered the human body.

After poisoning with methyl alcohol, the functionality of the nervous system is impaired:

• involuntary muscle contraction;
• Tremor (trembling) of the hands and feet;
• severe pain in the head;
• Increased irritability;
• Fainting state.

In addition, methyl alcohol negatively affects the functioning of the heart, provoking the following conditions:

• Cardiopalmus;
• Increase or decrease in blood pressure. With hypertension, the likelihood of nasal bleeding, shortness of breath increases;
• Pain in the left chest.

With severe intoxication, the likelihood that the victim will fall into a coma increases. This state can begin like normal sleep and last for a long time. That is, the victim simply falls asleep and gradually falls into a coma.

If methanol poisoning is suspected and characteristic signs appear, the victim must be urgently transported to the hospital. Do not wait until they disappear, as the patient may die.

First aid for methanol poisoning

First of all, you need to determine how methanol got into the body. If the substance has penetrated through the use of foods or drinks, then it is necessary to carry out a gastric lavage. For this purpose, cooled boiled water or soda solution is used.

Washing is carried out with an interval of 60 minutes. That is, first the victim drinks 1 liter of liquid, provokes vomiting, and then repeats the procedure after 1 hour.

In order to cleanse the intestines, you can take a laxative or give an enema. This is necessary, as a large amount of wood alcohol accumulates in the intestines.

If etching occurred during the inhalation of vapors, then the victim must be provided with an influx of fresh air. To do this, they take him outside or open windows and doors indoors. Make sure that the patient breathes calmly, alternating deep breaths with shallow ones. In severe cases, you can not do without ventilation of the lungs.

If methyl alcohol has got on the skin, then the damaged area is treated with ethanol and the skin is ventilated.

If the victim has convulsions or loses consciousness, then offer him to lie down, lift the pillow and wrap him with a blanket. It is best to lie on your side.

Ethyl alcohol is used as an antidote to methanol. Ethanol reduces the negative impact of methanol on the human body, breaks it down and accelerates the cleansing of the body. To do this, the victim is injected with ethyl alcohol at intervals of 3 hours.

When the first signs of methanol poisoning appear, an ambulance should be called or the patient should be transported to a medical facility. A toxicologist deals with the treatment of such conditions.

In case of poisoning, the following actions are contraindicated:

• Self-treatment;
• The use of symptomatic drugs to increase or decrease pressure, relieve headaches, etc.;
• If methanol has entered the body through the nose, then it is not recommended to give enemas;
• In case of contact with the skin, it is forbidden to use a cream or ointment for burns;
• If the caregiver is not sure that the symptoms are due to methanol poisoning, then do not use ethyl alcohol as an antidote;
• If the victim has lost consciousness, then you should not leave him alone in the position on his stomach or on his back. It is better to shift it to the side.

In case of methanol poisoning, the above rules must be observed, since the risk of death is high.

After providing first aid for methanol poisoning, the patient is recommended to undergo inpatient treatment. This is necessary to keep the body in good shape and restore its work.

Treatment depends on which organs are most affected after methanol poisoning. Most often, the victim has severely reduced vision. To restore this function, doctors prescribe vitamins and tonics. In addition, it is necessary to perform special exercises for the eyes. In severe cases, surgery will be necessary.

If methanol has damaged the respiratory organs and provoked the appearance of burns on their inner shells, then inhalations based on herbal preparations are used. Thus, the healing of damaged areas is accelerated and the functionality of the respiratory organs is normalized.

At home, the patient must rest, take vitamins, follow a diet and drinking regimen.

Consequences of poisoning

With severe intoxication with methyl alcohol, it is not always possible to completely restore health. This dangerous substance can provoke the following complications:

• Myocardial exhaustion, as a result, functional insufficiency of the heart;
• Violation of the liver (since this organ cleanses the blood of toxic substances and passes them through itself);
• Functional disorders of the kidneys(they also clean the body of toxins);

• Insufficiency of the respiratory organs with a chronic course (after severe damage to the lungs);
• Partial or total blindness(this symptom may appear even 1 year after poisoning).

The consequences of intoxication with methyl alcohol are quite dangerous, so it is so important to provide first aid to the victim in time and conduct a full treatment.

Preventive actions

To avoid poisoning with wood alcohol, the following rules must be observed:

• Vehicle owners must follow safety rules when handling liquids that contain methanol. The use of rubber gloves and a respirator is highly recommended;
• Alcoholic drinks should be bought only in specialized stores, check licenses and quality certificates;
• When working in the chemical industry, wear rubber gloves and a respirator at all times.

If you bought alcohol in a store, but still doubt its quality, it is recommended to conduct small experiments:

• It is possible to distinguish ethanol from methyl alcohol, although outwardly they do not differ. To do this, pour some liquid into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Ethyl alcohol boils at 79°, and methyl alcohol at 65°;
• Heat up a copper wire, dip it in a liquid, if it is ethanol, then you will feel a slight apple aroma, and methanol will emit an unpleasant odor;
• Add a little potassium permanganate to the liquid to be tested (on the tip of a knife). If gas bubbles appear in the drink, then this is methyl alcohol.

To prevent intoxication, follow the above rules. If symptoms of poisoning appear, immediately provide first aid to the victim and call the doctors. Self-treatment is strictly contraindicated!

Ethyl alcohol poisoning.

Both ethyl alcohol itself and its metabolite, acetal dehyde, have a toxic effect.
Clinic. When poisoning with ethyl alcohol, periods of euphoria, arousal and coma are distinguished, which in turn are divided into three degrees of severity. The lethal dose of ethyl alcohol is 5-10 g/kg. Euphoria and excitement are characterized by excessive talkativeness, impaired coordination of movements. As the severity of poisoning increases, apathy, adynamia, vomiting appear, there is a decrease in blood pressure, temperature, tachycardia, cyanosis, respiratory failure, severe metabolic acidosis, aspiration of vomit is possible.

Treatment. Gastric lavage, forced diuresis, intravenous 10% glucose solution with insulin, 4% sodium bicarbonate solution, amino acids, B vitamins, ascorbic acid. In case of respiratory failure, oxygen therapy is carried out, and in more severe cases - mechanical ventilation. It is necessary to use means stabilizing hemodynamics. Of the special methods, hemosorption is used.

Methyl alcohol poisoning.

The lethal dose when taken orally is 60-100 ml. During the metabolism of methyl alcohol, highly toxic formaldehyde and formic acid are formed.

Clinic. Characterized by early visual impairment, severe cyanosis, shortness of breath, metabolic acidosis, cerebral edema.

Treatment. In case of methyl alcohol poisoning, ethyl alcohol is a specific antidote, which binds alcohol dehydrogenase, which prevents the utilization of methyl alcohol and the formation of its metabolites. Ethyl alcohol is administered as a 5% solution at the rate of 0.5-0.75 g/kg. Otherwise, the treatment does not differ from that of ethyl alcohol poisoning.

Barbiturate poisoning

It is most often seen as an accident or a suicide attempt. The lethal dose is from 4 to 8 g, depending on the toxicity of the drug and individual tolerance.

The clinic is determined by the dose of the drug and is manifested by drowsiness, slurred speech, lack of a gag reflex, deep slow breathing, constriction of the pupils. As the severity of poisoning increases, the pulse quickens, blood pressure decreases, pathological types of respiration (Cheyne-Stokes) appear with a transition to frequent superficial. Respiratory arrest may occur.

Treatment is primarily aimed at ensuring and maintaining airway patency and pulmonary ventilation. Spend sanitation of the tracheobronchial tree, oxygen therapy, according to indications - mechanical ventilation. In addition, gastric lavage, forced diuresis with alkalization, correction of water-electrolyte metabolism and acid-base state are carried out, if necessary, corticosteroids, adrenomimetic agents are administered. The use of hemosorption, enterosorption is also shown. Respiratory analeptics are not used for barbiturate poisoning.

Methyl, or wood alcohol (methanol) is a colorless volatile liquid, highly flammable, miscible with water, ether and ethyl alcohol in any ratio, poisonous. In industry, it is used in the synthesis of formalin, formaldehyde, isoprene, acetic acid.

In the gas industry, methanol prevents the formation of hydrates in gas pipelines. Methanol is an excellent solvent, it is part of the detergents for glasses and mirrors, winter windshield washer fluid - "anti-freeze", is added to motor fuel as antifreeze, and also to increase the octane number, can be used as a fuel.

How to distinguish methyl alcohol from ethyl alcohol?

The danger to humans is that methyl alcohol is practically indistinguishable from ethyl alcohol in color, smell and taste. It is also, like the latter, highly flammable and burns in air with a blue flame. In everyday life, you can try to distinguish two alcohols in the presence of copper wire. Twisting it into a spiral, it is heated red-hot over a fire and lowered into the liquid under study. If we are dealing with methanol, then a sharp, characteristic smell of formaldehyde will definitely appear.

Lethal and toxic doses of methyl alcohol

The most frequent cases of methyl alcohol poisoning, often massive, were observed when using counterfeit alcohol, as well as when stealing from railway tanks and industrial warehouses. The situation is aggravated by the fact that it is almost impossible to distinguish between these two alcohols by organoleptic properties. Since the first symptoms of poisoning appear an hour later, after ingestion, a person often manages to take an amount of poisonous liquid several times greater than the lethal one.

A dose of 5-10 ml has a pronounced toxic effect, leads to irreversible blindness, and 30-40 ml leads to death. However, due to various reasons, the lethal dose can vary greatly. There are cases when, after taking 40 ml of 15% methyl alcohol, a fatal outcome occurred. At the same time, a case of survival after drinking 500 ml of pure methanol was recorded.

Symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning

An hour later, sometimes later, after taking methyl alcohol, weakness, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and headache appear. On the part of the organ of vision - "fog", "film" or "flakes" before the eyes, photophobia. When a clinic of eye damage appears, in most cases blindness occurs, even if medical care is started at that moment.

There may be loose stools, the appearance of an admixture of blood in the vomit (hemorrhagic gastritis). In the future, the development of convulsions, a decrease in blood pressure, depression of consciousness, up to coma, is possible. Toxic effects are associated with the metabolic products of methanol - formaldehyde and formic acid. They cause edema and atrophy of the optic nerve, severe metabolic acidosis. Death can occur as a result of acute cardiovascular failure (pulmonary edema, exotoxic shock), acute renal failure, respiratory arrest.

Even with all the necessary emergency medical care, lethality from methyl alcohol poisoning reaches 20-30% or more, more than a quarter of the survivors become disabled of the first group due to complete blindness or a significant decrease in visual acuity.

First aid for methyl alcohol poisoning

The effectiveness of treatment largely depends on the timing of seeking help and the amount of poison taken. First aid in case of poisoning with methanol or a liquid containing it consists in inducing vomiting artificially and immediately taking an antidote. The antidote is what they were going to take initially, i.e. - ethanol. It is urgent to ingest about 100-150 ml of vodka or any other alcoholic beverage in an adequate dose. The liver enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase plays a key role in the metabolism of alcohols in the human body. The affinity of ethanol for this enzyme was found to be significantly higher. When ethyl alcohol is absorbed, alcohol dehydrogenase switches to it and "forgets" about the methanol circulating in the blood. Due to this, the formation of formaldehyde and formic acid is blocked, methanol is gradually excreted from the body unchanged by the kidneys.

H It is necessary to distinguish between banal alcohol intoxication that occurs when high individual doses of alcohol are consumed. Additional intake of ethyl alcohol in this case will only worsen the condition. Actual methanol poisoning occurs much earlier and is accompanied by visual impairment and a rapid increase in life-threatening symptoms. After taking the antidote, you should immediately seek medical help.

In the toxicological department of a hospital or the general resuscitation department, intensive therapy is carried out aimed at eliminating metabolic acidosis, correcting electrolyte disturbances, and maintaining vital functions. Methanol poisoning is an indication for hemodialysis.

There are two main "directions" in which alcohol leads the drinker to death. In some cases, death occurs from ethanol poisoning in the composition of alcoholic beverages (any, from beer to cognac), in other situations - as a result of the development of chronic diseases and hidden pathologies. These two reasons are dangerously interconnected: if ethyl alcohol does not poison instantly, its components provoke the development of diseases that end in the death of an alcoholic.

Among other causes of alcohol mortality: accidents and poisoning with low-quality drinks based on methyl alcohol (methanol).

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Poisoning

From alcohol intoxication for a non-drinking man, young, healthy, weighing about 70 kg, death can occur if:

• the dose will be 750 ml of hard liquor or 1.2 liters of beer (300 ml of pure ethanol)
• alcohol will be drunk in less than 5 hours;
• drinking will take place without snacks.

A person who is not an alcoholic but who drinks regularly can become poisoned if:

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• the dose will be more than 2 liters of high-grade drinks or 5 liters of beer (600 ml of pure ethanol);
• alcohol will be taken up to 5 hours.

With smaller portions, with a plentiful snack and a longer period of drinking, at first alcohol will be less dangerous - it will cost the drinker without consequences (a maximum morning hangover syndrome can be expected), however, each subsequent dose will cause irreparable harm to the body, provoke the processes of destruction of internal organs, leading gradually to death from alcohol.

Statistics say that death from alcohol intoxication occurs if the concentration of ethyl alcohol in the blood is at least 1.5-2 ppm. It happens like this:

1. With a sharp increase in alcohol in the blood, a failure occurs in the rhythm of the heart.
2. The heart beats irregularly, so it loses its ability to pump blood in a healthy way.
3. The lack of blood supply to the internal organs leads to sudden coronary death (cause of death of 15-20% of the Russian population).

If the dose of alcohol is even greater, extremely severe intoxication with a fatal outcome can be expected within a few minutes after drinking alcohol. In addition, in this case, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to die from a hangover becomes 100% positive. The measured poisoning of one's body leads to death every year up to 3% of the inhabitants of Russia.

Diseases

According to WHO statistics, every year in the world from alcohol intoxication and diseases of the internal organs provoked by it, 4% of the population, that is, approximately 2.5 million people, die annually. Among these cases:

• at least 21% of deaths from alcohol are due to various oncological diseases provoked by alcohol;
• more than 16% of people who drink die from liver disease (most often from cirrhosis);
• up to 14% of deaths are associated with cardiovascular diseases;
• 18% of deaths are associated with other chronic diseases and pathologies exacerbated by alcohol poisoning.

List of organs that are affected by pathologies due to excessive alcohol consumption (from plain beer to "heavy" vodka), very wide. Among them:

• liver;
• heart and cardiovascular system;
• pancreas;
• kidneys and urinary system;
• lungs.

Consequences alcohol poisoning most often there are diseases such as:

• necrosis of pancreatic tissue;
• liver failure;
• alcoholic psychotic disorders;
• acute pancreatitis;
• arrhythmia;
• renal colic;
• asthma attacks of allergic, toxic or other origin;
• swelling of the heart and / or lungs;
• strokes and heart attacks.

The danger of alcohol intoxication is that the symptoms of illness, as manifestations of poisoning, often disguise themselves as symptoms of intoxication and a hangover, which is why the situation often gets out of control even before the drinking person and the people around him understand what is happening.

Accidents

Slightly less than 30% of deaths due to an accident - such is the statistics of alcohol mortality in the world according to WHO. This is the third part of the number of all deaths from drunkenness and a significant part of all accidents recorded annually in the world. There are many reasons why drunkards do not die of their own death:

• falling from rooftops and bridges;
• falling out of windows;
• getting under the wheels of vehicles (cars, trams, trains);
• gassing;
• hypothermia or overheating;
• improper handling of household appliances;
• death in fires;
• drowning.

If the dose of alcohol (even beer) was large enough, the drinker does not understand that the conditions around him have changed - altitude, temperature, obstacles. The reflexes of an alcoholic are blunted, so he can easily crash a car, fall from a height, or get into a fight in which he will not have a chance. Choking on one's own vomit, drowning in a puddle, burning from a cigarette butt dropped in alcohol intoxication, freezing on the threshold of one's own house - all these ridiculous accidents happen to a third of all drunkards.

Slightly less frequent, but still not too rare, are the suicides of alcoholics. Caused by alcohol abuse (especially if it is low-quality alcohol based on methanol or a mixture of, for example, vodka and beer) psychoses can provoke drinking people to take their own lives because of hopelessness or in a rage, in protest against everyone around them.

Medications

Alcohol and drugs cannot be combined with each other. Alcoholic drinks (even a certain amount of beer) can either make drugs simply ineffective, or completely and in the most unpredictable way change their effect. For fatal poisoning, it is enough to mix alcohol with the means:

• sleeping pills (the effect can lead to both drowsiness and coma, and death);
• antipyretic (provoked by ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract);
• cardiovascular (increases the likelihood of vascular insufficiency);
• diuretic (stimulates the development of heart failure and pancreatitis);
• antibiotics (destructive - toxic - effect on the body increases);
• analgesics (increased tachycardia).

Avoiding alcoholic beverages while undergoing medication treatment can be vital. However, every year a certain number of drinkers forget this simple wisdom.

Surrogates

High price, beautiful label and a bottle are not always signs of quality alcohol. Often, even in reputable stores, there are samples of cognac, vodka or beer created on the basis of methyl alcohol (methanol). And this type of raw material is much more dangerous than ethanol, because:

• vision suffers from methanol;
• methyl alcohol is the cause of poisoning of internal organs and systems;
• methanol leads to alcohol intoxication much faster and with a much larger amount of damage;
• methyl alcohol (methanol) endangers life itself.

Methyl alcohol as a deadly substitute ethyl alcohol used in industry, food production methanol is prohibited, as it is the strongest poison for the human body. Due to the fact that alcohol based on methyl alcohol (methanol) visually does not differ from real alcohol, dangerous drinks are implemented with great efficiency, although for the most part in the segment of low market prices.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous and leads to death. It doesn't matter what exactly it comes from - from an accident, an overdose or a disease. There is only one outcome, and this is what all beginning and established alcoholics should remember.

Alcohol has been known for a very long time (since the reign of Peter I), and the attitude towards it is still controversial.

Drinks prepared on its basis do not have a very favorable effect on the body, but at the same time they are present on the table of every festive feast.

Terrible stories of how people fell ill from ethyl alcohol poisoning, lost their hearing, sight, and even died, are not fiction, they really happened and can happen in our time.

To avoid negative consequences and protect your body from intoxication, you need to understand the nature of the origin of the substance ethanol, its main components.

In contact with

Ethanol and methanol

The consequences of drinking alcohol and its impact on human health depends on the type and amount of alcohol consumed.

In addition to ethyl alcohol, there is methyl and isopropyl - powerful poisons that affect the nervous system, lungs and many other vital human organs. In case of poisoning with these substances, it is important to promptly provide first aid, otherwise death is inevitable.

In addition, methanol and ethanol are identical in physical properties (taste, color and smell). It is quite difficult to distinguish them from each other at home.

Note: You can test ethyl or technical alcohol in front of you by igniting it. Ethyl burns with a blue flame, methyl with green.

In principle, methanol should not be freely sold in stores, it is used only for industrial needs, but there are different cases. Alcohol for food purposes can be found in pharmacies or wineries.

Do not buy dubious liquid. Ask the seller where you purchased it. Drinking alcohol of unknown origin is very dangerous.

Application in medicine

There is an opinion that medical alcohol must be 95-96 percent strength, but this is not so.

Most often it is 70 degrees and is intended for external use and disinfection. In medicine, absolute alcohol and solutions are used: 95%, 90%, 70%, 40%.

Ethyl alcohol may be given in small doses by mouth to patients who are malnourished. In addition, it has a stimulating effect on respiration and blood circulation and is part of many modern medicines. Based on ethanol, various medicinal tinctures are also made.

Other types

Alpha alcohol and luxury alcohol are used to make luxury drinks and the price for it is quite high. They are the highest quality product among alcohols.

Lower in quality and price is alcohol "Basis" and "Extra". Based on them, it is also made vodka products, but at a price they are lower than the previous two types.

Note: the varieties of alcohols listed below are not intended for ingestion and if you drink them, you are guaranteed to be poisoned, up to death.

Ant tincture is used in pharmacology as an antiseptic. Theoretically, it can be drunk, but it is primarily used for medical purposes and does not have the same degree of purification as spirits for the production of vodka.

Technical alcohols are not intended for consumption, they contain dangerous components that lead to poisoning. Used only in enterprises.

Hydrolytic alcohol, unlike other alcohols, is made from sawdust and woodworking waste. It can only be used for technical needs. When taken orally, it causes severe poisoning. It can be recognized by its characteristic salty aftertaste or chemical bitterness.

Cetyl alcohol is used only in cosmetology. It has a high fat content. Although it is the most gentle for the human body, it will not work to drink it even with a strong desire.

Salicylic alcohol is made from salicylic acid and ethyl alcohol. First of all, it is used for medical purposes for the treatment of the skin in various diseases. It is also used in cosmetology, for example, salicylic alcohol is included in chemical peeling. May cause poisoning if taken orally.

Aviation alcohol, as the name implies, is used in the operation of aircraft. You can’t drink it, because of the high content of metals, death from poisoning occurs very quickly.

Fortress

Alcohol has the highest strength - up to 96 percent. But, alcoholic beverages with a strength of more than 50 percent cannot be drunk in its pure form.

Firstly, it destroys the neurons of the brain, and secondly, it hits the liver very hard. Also, if you drink strong alcohol undiluted, you can get a burn of the larynx and esophagus.

Alcohol tinctures sold in pharmacies are made on the basis of 95 percent alcohol, but they are not intended to be consumed by glasses. Although some use them as a cheap substitute for alcohol.

How to drink safely

By itself, ethyl alcohol does not carry such irreparable harm to the body as methyl alcohol. Almost all alcoholic beverages are made on its basis, and are also used for medical purposes. But still, the use of ethanol in its pure form can have unpleasant consequences.

The safest way is to dilute alcohol with water. This will lower the strength and its use will have no consequences, except for a hangover and the usual side effects that appear, for example, after vodka.

It's important to know: alcohol can be diluted with juice, compote or soda.

Also, on its basis, you can make homemade tinctures and liqueurs. Drinking it in its pure form is highly discouraged.

Is it possible to harm health

As already mentioned, ethanol alcohol is considered food grade and is used to make medicines or alcohol. It can cause harm in the same way as ordinary alcohol. If you drink a large amount, drink undiluted.

The fact is that the greater the strength of the drink, the greater the load on the liver, so if you drink undiluted ethanol, intoxication will be quick, and in the morning there will be a severe hangover and other effects of alcohol poisoning. You can also burn the larynx and esophagus.

The body of each person individually reacts to alcohol, so follow the measure. Ethyl alcohol is not advisable to drink in large doses on an empty stomach. Try to drink slowly and in small sips.

From the intake of ethyl alcohol, in addition to the liver, the nervous system suffers greatly: the perception of the surrounding reality changes, speech becomes unrelated, vision and hearing deteriorate.

Poisoning

The dose of ethyl alcohol that leads to death is 6-8 ml per kilogram of body weight.

The lethal concentration of ethyl alcohol is 4-5 g/l or more. Therefore, the greater the body weight, the greater the chance of surviving when taking a large dose.

Signs of alcohol poisoning:

• labored breathing;
• nausea;
• blueing of the skin;
• decrease in body temperature;
• convulsions;
• dehydration;
• muscle relaxation;
• loss or confusion of consciousness.

Take note: Frequent drinking in large doses causes addiction and alcoholism.

If you abuse ethyl alcohol (as, indeed, any other alcoholic beverage), a fatal outcome may occur.

How to choose

If the use of ethyl alcohol in moderation and in diluted form is not very harmful to health, then the use of methyl or isopropyl alcohol almost always leads to death.

And although they are prohibited for free sale and the manufacture of food products, counterfeit alcohol is often made on its basis.

Therefore, do not buy alcoholic beverages in dubious places, especially from hands. It is better to buy more expensive, but in a normal, specialized wine store or, in extreme cases, in a pharmacy.

If you still decide to buy, then before using, check whether ethyl alcohol is in front of you - set it on fire and follow the color of the chase.

For more information on the effects of drinking alcohol, see the following video: