Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2011

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2011 International Scholars Journals

Short communication

Paraquat used as a catalyst to increase the percentage of alcohol distillated in illicit brewing industry of Sri Lanka

R. Shavindra Dias

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 29 March, 2011

Abstract

Illicit brew contaminated with Paraquat, bipridyl non -selective contact herbicide, resulting in an epidemic of paraquat poisoning was investigated in Sri Lanka. It was found that the brewers use to hang the paraquat bottle with the lid pierced over the distilling cocktail. Brewers believe that condensed particles act as a catalyst, increasing the concentration and quality of the distillate. Clinical data, biochemical and histopathological data were used to confirm the poison. In-depth interviews and group discussions were used to elucidate the mechanism used by the illicit brewers. Due to an accident the paraquat bottle had slipped into the distilling cocktail resulting in this epidemic of paraquat poisoning.