No Toxic Substances Found in Alcohol Gels Undergoing Examination: State Inspection Body

In response to cases of alcohol poisoning registered in certain regions of the Republic a few days ago, and the subsequent concerns that methanol might have also been used in alcohol gels, the Armenian State Market Supervision Inspection Body initiated inspections of the alcohol gel market based on data received from the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

In particular, based on the efforts of the Inspection Body, batches of alcohol gels produced by a legal entity that sold methanol were preemptively removed from sale, and samples taken from these batches were sent for laboratory examination.

The results of the examination revealed that the alcohol gels produced by the aforementioned entrepreneur do not contain methanol or other toxic substances that pose a risk to human life and health.

We also consider it necessary to address the noise that arose in the media regarding information on the distribution of alcohol gels containing toxic substances. Recently, in an interview with one of the media outlets, Doctor of Science, Professor Irina Malkhasyan expressed a thought where the esteemed professor neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of dangerous substances being present in the alcohol gels sold, which several other media outlets presented in a distorted manner, indirectly suggesting that I. Malkhasyan indicated the fact of alcohol gels being made with toxic substances.

In response to our official inquiry, I. Malkhasyan denied the information that she expressed such a thought and reaffirmed her statement as presented in a video that reflects her direct speech.

Further confusion arose in the segment of the contentious media materials when the lawyer of the detainee indicated that their client had previously acquired alcohol and used it in the preparation of alcohol gels, while the author of the material presents the likelihood of toxic alcohol being used in alcohol gels as a fact.