Syllabus
GS Paper 1 – Social Issues
GS Paper 4 – Case Study
Context
38 people died after consuming spurious liquor in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 21st June 2024
How dangerous is methanol poisoning?
The tragic incident in the Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu, where over 38 people died and 82 others were hospitalized due to consuming spurious liquor, highlights the dangers of methanol contamination in illicit alcohol. Spurious liquor, often containing methanol to enhance its intoxicating effects, has repeatedly led to mass poisoning incidents. This issue underscores the need for stringent regulatory measures and public awareness to prevent such tragedies.
Alcohol in Liquor
- Alcohol Content:
- Beer: Contains about 5% alcohol by volume.
- Wine: Contains about 12% alcohol by volume.
- Distilled Spirits: Contains about 40% alcohol by volume.
- Ethanol:
- Primary Alcohol: Ethanol is the main type of alcohol found in recreational beverages.
- Psychoactive Drug: Ethanol acts as a psychoactive drug, meaning it affects the brain to create its intoxicating effects.
- Health Impact:
- WHO Findings: According to the World Health Organization, no level of ethanol consumption is considered safe for health.
- Long-term Use: Prolonged consumption can lead to dependence, increase the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and may eventually result in death.
Alcohol prohibition in India
- It is currently in effect in five states—Bihar, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, and Mizoram—along with a few others that only prohibit alcohol in part.
- State subject: Albeit the preclusion of liquor use is empowered in the constitution of India (Article 47, DPSP), liquor strategy is a state subject.
- States are having full control of liquor related regulation, extract rates and the creation, circulation and offer of liquor.
What is Spurious Liquor?
- Contains methanol (CH3OH) – Spurious liquor is different from regular liquor because it contains methanol, which is a type of alcohol that is highly toxic to humans.
- Even small amounts of methanol can cause serious health problems, including death.
- Can be homemade or from factories (arrack sellers) – Spurious liquor can be produced in a number of ways, including homemade production and by diverting industrial sources like arrack sellers.
- Arrack is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage traditionally made from fermented palm sap.
- How Spurious Liquor Kills
- Methanol is metabolized to formaldehyde (H-CHO) and then formic acid (HCOOH) –
- Formaldehyde is an even more toxic substance than methanol itself.
- Then, another set of enzymes called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) further breaks down formaldehyde into formic acid.
- Formic acid accumulation leads to metabolic acidosis and acidaemia (blood becomes acidic)
- Formic acid is a much more potent acid than the carbonic acid that our bodies naturally produce.
- As methanol is converted to formic acid, it accumulates in the bloodstream. This disrupts the body’s natural acid-base balance, leading to a condition called metabolic acidosis. This means that the blood becomes too acidic, a condition known as acidaemia.
- Formic acid also disrupts the way cells use oxygen. This can lead to a buildup of lactic acid, another acidic byproduct of cellular metabolism. This further contributes to the acidosis and can damage cells throughout the body.
- Methanol-induced optic neuropathy – vision impairment/blindness – Methanol can directly damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting signals from the eye to the brain.
- This can lead to vision impairment, including blindness.
- Cerebral edema, haemorrhage, death – In severe cases of methanol poisoning, the accumulation of formic acid and the disruption of cellular function can lead to swelling of the brain (cerebral edema) and bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage). These conditions can be fatal.
Regulation of Methanol in India
- Schedule I of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989 includes methanol.
- The Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations 2018 stipulate the maximum permissible quantity of methanol in different liquors.
- For example, these values span a wide range including “absent” in coconut fenny, 50 grams per 100 litres in country liquor, etc.
- The Indian Standard (IS 517) applies to how the quality of methanol is to be ascertained, and together with the Tamil Nadu Denatured Spirit, Methyl Alcohol, and Varnish (French Polish) Rules 1959, what signage, methanol packaging should carry
Why does people consume Spurious Liquor?
- High cost of legal liquor: Spurious liquor is often much cheaper than legal liquor, making it appealing to people on a tight budget.
- Liquor ban: In states where liquor is banned, people are more likely to turn to spurious liquor as a black market option.
- Easy target for bootleggers: People who are looking for cheap alcohol are easy targets for bootleggers selling dangerous, low-quality liquor.
Way Ahead
- Regulation and Enforcement:
- Crack down on the illegal production and sale of methanol: This requires stricter enforcement of existing regulations and licensing requirements for methanol production, trade, and storage.
- Improve monitoring of arrack sellers and other potential sources of methanol diversion.
- Addressing Affordability:
- Consider revising liquor taxes to make legal liquor more affordable, potentially reducing the demand for cheaper,illicit alternatives.
- Introduce a system for controlled sale of low-cost, government-produced liquor, ensuring proper quality control.
- Public Awareness:
- Launch public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of consuming spurious liquor and how to identify safe alternatives.
- Highlight the availability of treatment options for methanol poisoning.
- Improved Medical Response:
- Increase the availability and accessibility of fomepizole (antidote for methanol poisoning) in hospitals, particularly in rural areas.
- Train healthcare workers to recognize and treat methanol poisoning effectively.
Conclusion
Methanol poisoning from spurious liquor remains a significant public health challenge in India, particularly affecting poorer communities. Effective treatment options exist but are often limited by availability and cost. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including stricter enforcement of regulations, better public health education, and ensuring access to antidotes and proper medical care.
References
Related PYQ
You are the head of the Human Resources department of an organisation. One day one of the workers died on duty. His family was demanding compensation. However, the company denied compensation because it was revealed in investigation that he was drunk at the time of the accident. The workers of the company went to strike demanding compensation for the family of the deceased. The Chairman of the management board has asked for your recommendation. What recommendation would you provide the management? Discuss the merits and demerits of each of the recommendations. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2017]
Practice Question
Discuss the public health implications of methanol contamination in illicit liquor in India. What measures can be taken to prevent such incidents? [150 words]