Since the new year, dozens in Istanbul have died thanks to the consumption of bootleg alcohol. Illegal production of booze has always been a problem, but it seems a recent surge has proved especially lethal.
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Per CBS, Turkish officials announced on Wednesday that 34 people in Istanbul have died thanks to bootleg alcohol consumption. At the time, 43 were hospitalized, with 32 in intensive care. More victims of the faulty alcohol have likely been claimed in the days past.
Officials believe that methanol in the alcohol is the cause of the deaths.
For those who remember their chemistry lessons, alcoholic drinks are made with ethanol, the preferred alcohol. Although methanol only has one less carbon atom than its ethanol kin, it comes with a whole host of adverse health effects.
Private and dodgy alcohol manufacturers may opt to use methanol instead of ethanol as it's cheaper. However, those who consume it may suffer blindness, liver damage, and death. I suppose these producers don't care an ounce about returning customers.
Turkish Government Cracking Down On Bootleg Alcohol Consumption
Turkish authorities are especially harsh on alcohol. But that's never stopped those wanting a good time before. Not only is alcohol heavily taxed, but any mention of alcohol on social media or advertisements are banned.
Due to staggeringly high prices of booze in Turkey, people turn to dodgy manufacturers or even try to make the beverages themselves. There are risks in seeking out alcohol in these ways, although some deem it worth it thanks to how expensive it is.
To combat the apparent rise in counterfeit alcohol manufacturing, Turkish authorities have raided about 300 locations, allowing them to detain 85 individuals. Thousands of liters of bootleg booze were seized.
Making alcohol with methanol is an evil practice that will only cause mass harm. People will always find a way to enjoy the substances they enjoy, especially substances rigorously combated by the government.
There are ways to tell methanol and ethanol-based drinks apart, however. Aside from accurate chemical tests that require all sorts of equipment, simply smelling and burning the alcohol is an indicator.
Should the alcohol burns yellow instead of blue, then chances are it's got methanol in it. This may not be a perfect test, but I'd rather have something than nothing.
