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🕒 8 hrs agoAustralian Scientists' Methanol Breathalyser: Detecting Poison in a Pint
Australian researchers have developed a prototype methanol breathalyser that detects toxic levels in beverages or breath, aiming to prevent thousands of poisonings each year. Methanol poisoning, often from adulterated alcohol, leads to severe health issues, including blindness and death.
The device utilizes a graphene-based sensor to identify methanol concentrations as low as 50 parts per billion, offering a portable solution for rapid detection. This innovation addresses the lack of accessible testing methods, especially in regions where methanol poisoning is prevalent.
In 2024, six tourists died in Laos from suspected methanol poisoning after consuming contaminated alcohol, highlighting the urgent need for such detection technologies.
