Hooch Tragedy

• 17 Oct 2024

Why in News?

Recently, a tragic hooch incident in Bihar has claimed eight lives, drawing attention to the severe consequences of illicit liquor consumption.

Key Points

• Hooch Formation Process:
  • Hooch, also known as illicit or spurious liquor, is typically made by fermenting and distilling cheap raw materials like molasses or grains.
  • Often, dangerous chemicals like methanol are added to speed up production or increase potency. Methanol can cause fatal poisoning even in small amounts.
• Contributing Factors:
  • Despite strict prohibition laws, the underground liquor trade continues to thrive in Bihar. Poor enforcement and high demand for alcohol contribute to recurring hooch incidents.
  • Public health experts point to the need for better regulation and stronger policing to prevent the sale of toxic alcohol.
• Prohibition Laws:
  • Bihar has enforced a total prohibition on alcohol since 2016 under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016. However, loopholes and weak enforcement allow the illegal trade to flourish.
  • The law includes stringent punishments for those involved in the production and sale of illicit liquor, including heavy fines and imprisonment.

Methanol

• Methanol, chemically represented as CH3OH, is a simple alcohol molecule consisting of one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one hydroxyl group (OH).
• Regulations:
  • Methanol is classified under Schedule I of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989 in India.
  • Indian Standard IS 517 specifies how the quality of methanol should be determined.
• Industrial Production:
  • Methanol is primarily produced industrially by combining carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of copper and zinc oxide catalysts, typically at pressures of 50-100 atm and temperatures around 250°C.
    • Historically, methanol was also produced through the destructive distillation of wood, a method known since ancient times, including in ancient Egypt.
• Industrial Uses:
  • Methanol serves as a crucial precursor in the production of acetic acid, formaldehyde, and various aromatic hydrocarbons. It is widely used as a solvent, antifreeze, and in various industrial processes due to its chemical properties.
• Effect on Human Body:
  • Metabolic Acidosis:
    • Methanol in the body is broken down into toxic byproducts, primarily formic acid. This acid disrupts the body's delicate pH balance in the blood, leading to a condition called metabolic acidosis (production of excessive acid that cannot be flushed out by kidneys).
    • This makes the blood more acidic, hindering its ability to function properly.
  • Cellular Oxygen Deprivation:
    • Formic acid also interferes with an enzyme called cytochrome oxidase, which is crucial for cellular respiration. This disrupts the cells' ability to use oxygen, leading to a buildup of lactic acid and further contributing to acidosis.
  • Vision Impairment:
    • Methanol can damage the optic nerve and retina, causing methanol-induced optic neuropathy. This condition can lead to permanent vision problems, including blindness.
  • Brain Damage:
    • It can cause cerebral edema (fluid buildup in the brain) and hemorrhage (bleeding). These can lead to coma and death.