Lawyer’s death from methanol in drink highlights risks of adulteration in Greater SP

Lawyer Marcelo Lombardi, 45, died on Sunday (28) in São Bernardo do Campo, Greater São Paulo, from methanol poisoning found in an adulterated alcoholic beverage. The cause was confirmed in the death certificate as multiple organ failure due to the toxic substance. His family, residents of Sacomã for over 30 years, reported he woke up disoriented and blind the previous Saturday, leading to immediate hospitalization.

This marks the third death recorded in the state since June, with the São Paulo government confirming six cases of poisoning from contaminated beverages. The Ministry of Justice issued a national alert after nine notifications in 25 days, all linked to consumption in social settings like bars and liquor stores.

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Marcelo’s sister, Fernanda Lombardi, highlighted the rapid worsening of his condition, which prevented clarification about the contamination’s source. Authorities are investigating establishments near the ABC Paulista region, where he worked.

• Main initial symptoms: blurred vision and disorientation.
• Cases under investigation: ten in total, including one death under review.
• Involved beverages: predominantly vodka, gin, and whiskey.

Marcelo Lombardi’s professional and family profile

Marcelo worked as a lawyer specializing in real estate law and ran a family-owned real estate agency in Sacomã, São Paulo’s South Zone, for 16 years. He managed the business alongside his sister Fernanda, a partner. The agency served clients near the ABC region, where the family had settled for generations.

Married and living with his wife and a small dog, Marcelo maintained a stable routine without a history of excessive alcohol consumption. The recent loss of their father, less than two years ago, had further united the four siblings, including three sisters. Fernanda described her brother as a vital pillar of the family and business structure.

Symptoms and progression of methanol poisoning

Methanol, a colorless and flammable industrial alcohol, initially mimics ethanol’s effects but progresses to severe nervous system and optic damage. Marcelo woke up reporting only a bright glare, followed by mental confusion and extreme drowsiness.

At the hospital, blood tests confirmed the presence of the toxin, but he already showed severe disorientation, preventing detailed accounts. Methanol metabolizes into acids that acidify the blood, leading to coma and organ failure within hours or days.

Doctors noted that doses above 10 grams can be lethal, with a mortality rate of up to 30% in severe cases without immediate treatment. The antidote fomepizole, used in emergency protocols, does not always reverse permanent neurological damage.

Other patients in SP reported nausea, vomiting, and dizziness before partial blindness. Authorities emphasize that methanol is odorless and tasteless, facilitating adulteration.

Police investigation and evidence provided by family

The São Bernardo do Campo Civil Police opened an investigation to trace the source of the beverage consumed by Marcelo. The family plans to hand over a vodka bottle found at home and recent bank statements this week. These items may point to purchases at local liquor stores or bars.

Officers are collecting statements from colleagues and friends, focusing on routes near Sacomã and ABC. A similar investigation is underway for another death in the same region, of a 58-year-old man, on September 24.

The Public Security Secretariat is monitoring inspections at beverage retailers, with support from the Health Surveillance Agency. No establishments have been shut down yet, but samples of suspicious products are under laboratory analysis.

Confirmed methanol deaths in September

The first death occurred on September 15, involving a 54-year-old man from São Paulo’s East Zone. He showed symptoms nine days earlier and died in a private facility, with a report confirming methanol as the cause.

In São Bernardo, the second case involved a 58-year-old man, treated at the Emergency Hospital and deceased on September 24. The third, Marcelo, followed a similar pattern, with rapid hospitalization and death the next day.

A fourth death, of a man with a history of chronic alcoholism, remains under investigation, with no confirmed link to adulteration. These events raised the total fatal cases to three, compared to two throughout the previous year.

Since June, the Sanitary Surveillance Center has recorded 16 suspected hospitalizations, focusing on products of clandestine origin.

Possible link to illegal methanol imports

Beverage industry associations point to illegally imported methanol, possibly diverted from criminal operations. Storage tanks in adulterated fuel stations were identified in recent investigations.

The product, used in biofuel production, enters the country without proper oversight and is passed to clandestine alcohol factories. In 2024, seizures of contaminated batches totaled 50,000 liters in SP.

Federal authorities activated the Rapid Alert System to map distribution flows. Bars and distributors are advised to check tax stamps and production batches.

Recommendations to avoid beverage contamination

Establishments should prioritize certified suppliers and regularly test samples. Consumers are advised to check for intact packaging and avoid purchases from unverified sources.

• Verify labels with Anvisa seals and expiration dates.
• Prefer well-known brands from authorized retailers.
• Seek emergency care immediately if symptoms like blurred vision occur.

The Ministry of Justice is coordinating intermunicipal actions to intensify inspections at 100 points of sale in Greater SP this week. Hospitals are preparing antidote stocks for rapid response.

History of similar cases in the state

In previous years, methanol poisonings in SP were linked to fuel consumption by vulnerable populations. This year, the pattern shifted to adulterations in socially consumed beverages, with nine notifications in 25 days.

The Campinas Toxicological Information Center, a state reference, reported a 200% increase in related cases. Incidents in Mooca and Cidade Dutra involve gin and vodka purchased at local liquor stores.

Authorities ruled out one initial death due to lack of toxicological evidence but maintain surveillance on 14 additional suspicions.