Can alcohol cause blindness? The truth about methanol poisoning
News News blog
The warning “hard liquor causes blindness” is more than just a myth. In fact, alcohol can lead to blindness and even death—though not ordinary drinking alcohol, but rather spirits adulterated with methanol.
What is methanol, and how does it differ from drinking alcohol?
Methanol is a toxic alcohol that differs chemically from harmless ethanol (drinking alcohol). While the body can break down ethanol in small amounts, the metabolism converts methanol into the highly toxic substances formaldehyde and formic acid.
The tricky part: Methanol smells and tastes no different from regular alcohol. Consumers therefore cannot detect adulterated spirits.
How does methanol get into spirits?
Contrary to widespread belief, methanol is not produced during the “moonshining” of schnapps. Criminals deliberately mix it into spirits as a cheap substitute for ethanol.
Since methanol is not subject to taxation, counterfeiters can drastically increase their profit margins. Many are unaware of the deadly danger or willingly accept it.
How little methanol causes blindness?
The amounts are alarmingly small:
• Just 3 to 8 grams of methanol can cause blindness
• 18 to 60 grams are fatal (depending on body weight)
By comparison: Adulterated spirits from the Czech Republic contained up to 20 percent methanol—far more than the lethal dose.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning
The initial signs resemble a normal intoxication: dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. But then the serious symptoms follow: visual disturbances up to complete blindness, respiratory paralysis, and death.
First aid for methanol poisoning
Pure ethanol is administered as an antidote, which blocks the metabolism of methanol. However, its effectiveness depends crucially on the timing of treatment.
How can you protect yourself from adulterated spirits?
• Buy alcohol only from reputable retailers
• Avoid suspiciously cheap offers
• Be especially cautious with spirits from unreliable sources
• When in doubt: stay away!
The danger posed by alcohol containing methanol is real. While normal alcohol consumption carries health risks, adulterated spirits can lead to blindness or death within a very short time. Caution is the best protection.
