FATAL METHANOL MASS POISONING IN IRAN: A REVIEW ON THE CURRENT EVIDENCES

Background and Aim : Alcohol abuse is a major concern among substance use disorders in Iran. Due to restrictions in the legal production of alcoholic beverages in the country because of religious and legal factors, illegal, handmade and counterfeit products have been produced across the country. From this view, consumption of methanol contaminated alcoholic beverages is a common cause of methanol mass poisoning in Iran. The aim of this study is a review of recent fatal methanol mass poisoning in Iran.Methods : In the study, all available data sources such as published articles in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, official reports from the Forensic Medicine Organization of Iran and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and official news in media related to methanol mass poisoning in Iran during 2017-2019 have been reviewed.Results : A high increase rate in fatal methanol cases from 62 cases to 188 cases from 2017 to 2018 has been observed (203.2%). Most of the victims (90%) are male with an age range between 20-30 years old. The incidence of methanol mass poisoning has been reported among 21 provinces during 2018. Toxicological analysis on seized alcoholic beverages which consumed by fatal cases has been shown that methanol was the alone and major chemical component with a concentration between 30-40% v/v. Conclusion : Methanol in counterfeit and illegally produced alcoholic beverages determined as a major cause of fatality in recent outbreaks in Iran. From this view, prevention planning and education for the public about threats of consumption of these products should be considered for countermeasures in this issue

Keywords:

Alcohol , Methanol , Epidemiology , Mass poisoning , Iran