Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Russia: toxic denaturants and disinfectants pose additional risks

Abstract

In 2005, 30% of all alcohol consumption in Russia was unrecorded. This paper describes the chemical composition of unrecorded and low cost alcohol, including a toxicological evaluation. Alcohol products (n=22) from both recorded and unrecorded sources were obtained from three Russian cities (Saratov, Lipetsk and Irkutsk) and were chemically analyzed. Unrecorded alcohols included homemade samogons, medicinal alcohols and surrogate alcohols. Analysis included alcoholic strength, levels of volatile compounds (methanol, acetaldehyde, higher alcohols), ethyl carbamate, diethyl phthalate (DEP) and polyhexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride (PHMG). Single samples showed contamination with DEP (275–1269 mg/l) and PHMG (515 mg/l) above levels of toxicological concern. Our detailed chemical analysis of Russian alcohols showed that the composition of vodka, samogon and medicinal alcohols generally did not raise major public health concerns other than for ethanol. It was shown, however, that concentration levels of DEP and PHMG in some surrogate alcohols make these samples unfit for human consumption as even moderate drinking would exceed acceptable daily intakes.

The Differential Effects of Beverage Type on Alcohol Poisoning Mortality in Russia

“…Surrogate alcohols have been a common source of ethanol among the low-income Russian population due to their availability and low cost [49]. Consumption of industrial alcohols which contains high concentrations of diethyl phthalate (DEP) and polyhexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) is particularly dangerous and remains a widespread problem in contemporary Russia [50].…”

Exposure to Phtalates and Their Presence in Alcoholic Beverages

“…Osim upotrebom GC-MS-a, moguća je i kvantifi kacija ftalata plinskom kromatografijom uz plamenoionizacijski detektor (GC-FID), kako je opisano za DEP (59). Za kvantifi kaciju ftalata, posebice DEP-a, također se koriste UV-VIS i ¹H NMR tehnike (60,61).…”

Fatal Alcohol Poisonings and Poisonings by Other Toxic Substances in Russia

“…Compelling evidence suggests that the alcohol surrogates (industrial spirits, antiseptics, lighter fluid and medications containing alcohol) may be responsible for the extremely high level of fatal alcohol poisonings in Russia [5]. Some experts reasonably argue that alcohol surrogates pose a risk to human health and undermine alcohol control policy measures introduced in this country over the last decade [6,7].…”