Turkey added to Britain's 'methanol danger' list

Britain has expanded its warning list regarding the risk of 'methanol poisoning,' adding 11 more countries. The inclusion of Turkey among these countries has drawn attention.

Last November in Laos, six tourists, including one from Britain, lost their lives due to methanol poisoning.

In December, seven tourists who consumed cocktails at a five-star hotel in Fiji, in the South Pacific, were hospitalized on suspicion of poisoning. Following similar cases seen in Europe, debates over 'counterfeit alcohol' in tourist areas have been brought back to the agenda.

According to the BBC, the British Foreign Office began warning its citizens against methanol poisoning following the deaths in Laos.

TURKEY IS ALSO ON THE LIST

11 new countries have been added to the updated travel guide. Accordingly, the countries where there is a risk of methanol poisoning are listed as follows:

“Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam.”

The report emphasized that individuals traveling to these countries are being informed that even a small amount of methanol can lead to blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours.

British Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer pointed out the importance of citizens knowing the symptoms of methanol poisoning and issued the following warnings:

“If you are going to drink, go to reputable places. Stay away from homemade or free alcohol. If you wake up the morning after drinking feeling much worse than usual, seek help immediately.”

WHAT IS METHANOL?

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) defines methanol as follows:

“Methyl alcohol (methanol) is obtained by the distillation of wood shavings. It is used in industry and maritime sectors in the production of substances such as solvents, paint thinners, duplicating machine fluids, antifreeze, and glass cleaners. The consumption of a type of alcohol that should absolutely not be consumed for drinking purposes at an epidemic level in the country is a significant public health problem.

Although methyl alcohol poisonings occur in many countries around the world, this situation has become an epidemic in Turkey, especially in recent years. Bans, high tax increases, and restrictions trigger underground production, making methyl alcohol poisonings inevitable.”

News Source: 12punto