BANGKOK — Two Australian teenagers and a British woman have died of suspected methanol poisoning after drinking contaminated alcohol in Laos. An American and two Danes also died, although the exact causes of their deaths have not been released. A New Zealander was also taken ill. The US State Department has warned travelers to be “aware of the potential risk of methanol poisoning.” But what is methanol and how to avoid it?

What is methanol?

There are three main types of alcohol: ethanol, methanol and isopropyl. Ethanol is what is found in consumer spirits and is the only one intended for consumption. Isopropanol is the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers. Methanol, commonly called wood alcohol because it is a byproduct of wood distillation, is frequently used as a fuel and in products such as antifreeze and solvents.

What happens if you consume methanol?

According to the Methanol Institute, the industry’s global trade association, drinking just 25 to 90 ml (0.7 to 3.0 ounces) of methanol can be fatal without proper medical treatment, but can be treated successfully if it is detected early.

Methanol poisoning can cause headaches, dizziness and decreased consciousness, including coma, seizures, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and many other symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control. UNITED STATES. The CDC recommends seeking immediate medical attention if methanol poisoning is suspected.

“Individuals react differently to methanol,” said toxicologist Alastair Hay of Britain’s University of Leeds. “Some will be able to tolerate more than others because we all have variability in the ability of our enzymes to detoxify. But small amounts… could be fatal to individuals; others might survive a little longer.

Why would it be present in drinks if it is not intended for consumption?

Methanol is sometimes added deliberately by unscrupulous bars to mixed drinks to give them more “oomph” and to save money on using more expensive ethanol-based spirits like vodka or rum. This practice is not specific to Laos or Southeast Asia, but occurs wherever taxes on legitimate alcohol or the cost of legitimate alcohol are perceived to be too high, according to the Methanol Institute.

Methanol is also a normal product of the distillation process that produces ethanol, and in craft distilleries without strict controls – often found in poorer countries – it can end up in the mixture.

How to avoid methanol poisoning?

The answer is simple: don’t drink it.

But it is colorless, odorless and tasteless, which can be a real challenge.

In guidance issued after the Laos poisonings, the British Foreign Office recommends only buying alcoholic drinks from licensed liquor stores, buying drinks only from licensed bars and hotels, always checking whether bottle seals are intact and check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling.

The Methanol Institute notes that beverages such as canned beer, cider, wine, pre-mixes and duty-free products tend to be safer and less easy to tamper with.

He also urges people to be wary of homemade beers and drinks that are free or priced well below normal.