What is Hooch Tragedy: The Deadly Threat of Fake Alcohol in Tamil Nadu

In Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, drinking hooch, or fake alcohol, has resulted in at least 59 deaths with at least 156 persons still under treatment. According to sources, the official death toll might be underestimated because a number of people reportedly passed away before arriving at hospitals.

Prasanth M S, the district collector for Kallakurichi, stated that the district officials have returned the bodies of 29 victims who passed away by June 20 to their families to be either buried or cremated.

What is Hooch?

Hooch, derived from the name of a native Alaskan clan known for making extremely strong whiskey, is a term frequently used to describe low-quality alcohol. Unlike branded liquor manufactured in facilities with advanced machinery and strict quality assurance, hooch is produced in much less refined environments

Put simply, hooch is a locally-sourced alcohol intended to get people drunk at a low cost. However, if not prepared properly, it can be fatal. Unfortunately, determining the safety of hooch before consuming it is very difficult.

Why is Consuming Hooch Dangerous?

Traditional methods of producing hooch carry inherent risks. In addition to drinkable alcohol (ethanol), the fermented mixture that undergoes distillation contains other substances, including methanol, an industrial alcohol that is extremely harmful to humans.

While trace amounts of methanol are naturally present in wine and other non-distilled alcoholic beverages, they are generally safe at those levels. However, both methanol and ethanol become concentrated during the distillation process. Improper distillation can lead to high levels of harmful methanol in the final product. Hoochmakers lack sophisticated equipment for precise distillation, making it difficult to control the methanol percentage in the mixture.

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Deadly Adulteration

The risk of adulteration in hooch is higher than that of incorrectly prepared alcohol. Due to the challenges of distillation without proper equipment, hooch producers often err on the side of caution, resulting in a safe but weak product (overboiled mixture). To make up for this, adulterants are occasionally included, such as extremely hazardous materials like organic waste, battery acid, and industrial-grade methanol.

Adding inappropriate types and amounts of adulterants poses several dangers with hooch. Firstly, it can significantly increase the alcohol's intoxicating effects, leading to consequences such as memory loss, blackouts, and extreme drunkenness even with small amounts consumed. Secondly, in severe cases where high concentrations of toxic substances like methanol are present, the hooch can become deadly.

What Happens When One Consumes Poisonous Hooch?

A person who consumes methanol may experience initial symptoms such as drowsiness, unsteadiness, and disinhibition, according to a WHO report. These symptoms often mimic typical alcohol intoxication, leading to delayed medical attention. As the poisoning progresses, the individual may develop nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and abdominal discomfort, along with headaches. Breathing difficulties and hyperventilation may also occur.

This condition can progress to coma, convulsions, and respiratory arrest, ultimately resulting in death. Prompt medical attention is crucial for surviving methanol poisoning

What is the Treatment for Hooch Poisoning

Intravenous injections of ethanol and fomepizole are the recommended treatment for hooch poisoning. However, fomepizole is not always available and can be costly in many areas of India. In such cases, physicians administer a 1:1 ratio of ethanol to water. Ethanol aids in the body's natural elimination of methanol, preventing its conversion into toxins through dialysis or natural metabolic processes.

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