Offending substance in liquor tragedies — UPSC Prelims PYQ 1996
The offending substance in the liquor tragedies leading to blindness, etc., is:
- Ethyl alcohol
- Amyl alcohol
- Benzyl alcohol
- Methyl alcohol
Explanation
Option (d) is correct
- Liquor tragedies causing blindness are due to methanol (methyl alcohol) poisoning. Methanol is metabolized in the liver to formaldehyde and formic acid, which damage the optic nerve and can cause blindness and death. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is the drinking alcohol and does not cause such effects when consumed in moderate amounts.
Answer: (d) Methyl alcohol
