The composition of nonbeverage alcohols consumed in Russia in 2015–2017

Abstract

Introduction From previous research it is known that nonbeverage alcohols (NAs) were consumed by significant proportions of Russian population for drinking (e.g. 7% of working age males). In illegal NAs spirits other than ethanol may be used for their manufacturing. Such cases of illegal production from time to time manifest in outbreaks of deadly alcohol poisonings. The most recent such outbreak occurred in December 17–26 2016 in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, where 123 people, who drunk spirituous bath additive “Hawthorn” containing admixture of methanol, were poisoned, of whom 76 died. In a previous study conducted in 2005 NAs typically contained rectified highly concentrated ethanol. However, the study was conducted more than a decade ago and on a relatively small number of samples purchased only in one region of Russian Federation. To provide most up to date information on the problem we conducted a study of composition of NAs, which were available in retail in cities across the vast geography of Russia. Methods For analysis of composition we selected 92 samples of NAs, which were purchased in a survey of NAs availability in 50 Russian cities between 2015 and 2017. Consumption for drinking of selected types of NAs has been confirmed in simultaneous survey of subjects with substance use disorders recruited in narcology clinic in Kazan, Russia in 2015–2017. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) on a Hewlett-Packard 7820A gas chromatograph were used to determine NAs composition. For detection of extractable organic components we employed a method of micro extraction in a vial. For this purpose nonbeverage alcohol, internal standard and extragent were aliquoted to a standard vial for auto injector. After extraction of organic compounds inside the vial in a vibro shaker and separation of organic layer the later was taken for GC-MS analysis. The literature on toxicity of identified admixtures was reviewed. Results The majority of NAs contained 60 v/v% or more ethanol and represented either pure solutions of ethanol without other admixtures, or contained specific active ingredients. The following substances were identified in significant amounts in some of the analysed samples: –eau-de-colognes and some lotions consumed for drinking (e.g. Troynoi, Shipr, Ogurechniy, Hawthorn): propylene glycol and polypropylene glycols (e.g. dypropylene glycol), phenylethyl alcohol, linalyl anthranilate, ethyl salicylate, diphenyl ether; butylated hydroxytoluene, 3-phenyl-2-butanol, benzenemethanol, cyclamal, lilyal, and other substances; –cosmetic lotions: diethyl phthalate; –antiseptics: formic acid; –medicinal tinctures: compounds of plant extracts. Some medicinal tinctures sold in 100 ml bottles and cosmetic lotions didn’t contain active substances (e.g. capsaicin, flavouring agents, plant extracts). Conclusions On some identified compounds (e.g. 3,3′-oxybis-2-butanol; lilyal, etc.) limited or no human toxicity data is available, especially when ingested. Propylene glycols, although classed as substances with low toxicity, when ingested in large amounts may cause metabolic acidosis, cardiac arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest. Antiseptic containing 1.4% solution of formic acid in 70% ethanol when swallowed may cause multiple toxic effects of various severities, depending on amount consumed. These include gastrointestinal mucous burns, ulcerations, and bleeding; circulatory collapse, renal failure, ischemic lesions in liver and heart; late oesophageal, gastric and pyloric stenosis; asphyxial death due to glottic oedema, or due to toxic shock among others. Absence of active substances in some NAs suggests their illegal nature. Control of NAs production and consumption in Russia must be a priority as toxicity of some of them is determined not only by cheap concentrated ethanol, but also by other toxic admixtures. More toxicological research is needed on interaction of various compounds of NAs with ethanol and its metabolites.