The doctor called the lethal dose of methanol

Surrogate alcohol is not only "technical" liquids or cosmetic lotions, but also fake alcohol sold under the guise of legal alcohol, Ruslan Isaev, president of the Independent Narcological Guild, a psychiatrist and narcologist, told Izvestia on October 2.

"The main danger is methanol (methyl alcohol), ethylene glycol, as well as various aldehydes, fusel oils, and technical solvents," he said.

According to the doctor, methanol is the most toxic component, which practically does not differ from ethanol in appearance and smell.

"Even small doses of methanol can be fatal.": The toxic dose of methanol is about 10 ml of pure substance (about two teaspoons). Such a dose can already cause severe poisoning with the risk of blindness. The lethal dose is approximately 30 ml of pure methanol (slightly more than two tablespoons). But there are cases of deaths from a smaller number if a person has not received timely assistance," Isaev explained.

He added that these calculations are carried out in pure ethanol, and the concentration in surrogates may be different. In this regard, it is impossible to predict the exact lethal dose of methanol.

According to the narcologist, methanol in the body turns into formaldehyde and formic acid, which cause severe damage to the central nervous system (CNS), severe metabolic acidosis, blindness (a characteristic symptom is "fog" or "snowflakes" in front of the eyes) and even death.

"Symptoms often do not appear immediately — after 8-24 hours, so a person may not feel any danger," the specialist said.

In case of poisoning, the doctor recommended calling an ambulance immediately.

"If possible, it is necessary to save a bottle or a sample of liquid for doctors," Isaev added.

If you do not have access to medical care, you can drink a little alcohol with an ethyl content (for example, vodka) — about 100 grams before the ambulance arrives.

"Ethanol is the only available antidote at home, it slows down the conversion of methanol into toxic metabolites (formaldehyde, formic acid). This is not a treatment, but first aid, which can buy time before hospitalization," the doctor said.

According to the expert, the chances of salvation and avoiding blindness directly depend on how quickly a person seeks medical help.

Read about how the surrogate alcohol market is organized and controlled by whom in the Izvestia article:

"That's so pale: who is poisoning Russians with fake alcohol"