title: Acetaldehyde level in spirits from central European countries.
abstract: Intake of acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages, in central Europe, might explain the high rate of alcohol-related diseases in these countries. We measured the acetaldehyde level in 30 samples of home-made spirits and 12 samples of industry-made spirits from four central European countries, including 35 fruit-based and five grain-based spirits. Acetaldehyde was detected in all fruit-based spirits and in none of the grain-based spirits. Acetaldehyde levels were above 2000 µmol/l in 12 samples, 11 of which were home-made. In a multivariate analysis restricted to fruit-based spirits, however, the difference between home-made and industry-based spirits was not statistically significant. These results add evidence to the hypothesis that intake of acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages, in central Europe, contributes to the burden of alcohol-related disease, especially that of upper digestive tract cancers. The acetaldehyde level should be monitored and high-level exposure should be avoided.
authors.affiliation: International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France. paolo.boffetta@i-pri.org
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boffetta
authors.forename: Pertti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaihovaara
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rudnai
authors.forename: Ariana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Znaor
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lissowska
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Swiatkowska
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mates
authors.forename: Tamas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pandics
authors.forename: Mikko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salaspuro
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D000079:Acetaldehyde