<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In 2005, 30% of all alcohol consumption in Russia was unrecorded. This paper describes the chemical composition of unrecorded and low cost alcohol, including a toxicological evaluation. Alcohol products (n=22) from both recorded and unrecorded sources were obtained from three Russian cities (Saratov, Lipetsk and Irkutsk) and were chemically analyzed. Unrecorded alcohols included homemade samogons, medicinal alcohols and surrogate alcohols. Analysis included alcoholic strength, levels of volatile compounds (methanol, acetaldehyde, higher alcohols), ethyl carbamate, diethyl phthalate (DEP) and polyhexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride (PHMG). Single samples showed contamination with DEP (275-1269 mg/l) and PHMG (515 mg/l) above levels of toxicological concern. Our detailed chemical analysis of Russian alcohols showed that the composition of vodka, samogon and medicinal alcohols generally did not raise major public health concerns other than for ethanol. It was shown, however, that concentration levels of DEP and PHMG in some surrogate alcohols make these samples unfit for human consumption as even moderate drinking would exceed acceptable daily intakes.</p></abstract>

In 2005, 30% of all alcohol consumption in Russia was unrecorded. This paper describes the chemical composition of unrecorded and low cost alcohol, including a toxicological evaluation. Alcohol products (n=22) from both recorded and unrecorded sources were obtained from three Russian cities (Saratov, Lipetsk and Irkutsk) and were chemically analyzed. Unrecorded alcohols included homemade samogons, medicinal alcohols and surrogate alcohols. Analysis included alcoholic strength, levels of volatile compounds (methanol, acetaldehyde, higher alcohols), ethyl carbamate, diethyl phthalate (DEP) and polyhexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride (PHMG). Single samples showed contamination with DEP (275-1269 mg/l) and PHMG (515 mg/l) above levels of toxicological concern. Our detailed chemical analysis of Russian alcohols showed that the composition of vodka, samogon and medicinal alcohols generally did not raise major public health concerns other than for ethanol. It was shown, however, that concentration levels of DEP and PHMG in some surrogate alcohols make these samples unfit for human consumption as even moderate drinking would exceed acceptable daily intakes.

Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Russia: toxic denaturants and disinfectants pose additional risks

Irkutsk Forensic Institute, Prosecutor General's Office, Shevzov Street 1, 664035 Irkutsk, Russia

Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt (CVUA) Karlsruhe, Weissenburger Strasse 3, D-76187 Karlsruhe, Germany

Department of Chemistry, Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya Street 83, 410012 Saratov, Russia

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 33 Russell Street, ARF 2035, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada

Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada

Epidemiological Research Unit, Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, TU Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, D-01187 Dresden, Germany

Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada ITX040411A03

Interdisciplinary Toxicology

In 2005, 30% of all alcohol consumption in Russia was unrecorded. This paper describes the chemical composition of unrecorded and low cost alcohol, including a...

Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Russia: toxic denaturants and disinfectants pose additional risks

Published Online: Feb 06, 2012

Page range: 198 - 205

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-011-0030-x

Keywords
alcohol, unrecorded alcohol, product quality, Russia, alcohol poisoning, risk assessment

This content is open access.

Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Russia: toxic denaturants and disinfectants pose additional risks

Published Online: Feb 06, 2012

Page range: 198 - 205

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-011-0030-x

Keywordsalcohol, unrecorded alcohol, product quality, Russia, alcohol poisoning, risk assessment

This content is open access.

Keywords
alcohol, unrecorded alcohol, product quality, Russia, alcohol poisoning, risk assessment