Six people have been taken to hospital with symptoms of poisoning. They have been severely affected and had symptoms of intoxication and reduced consciousness in some cases, says Patrik Söderberg, chief physician in Region Stockholm.
In addition, six youths have been taken to the special clinic Maria Ungdom. A total of three of the affected were left for observation on Sunday. All are under 18 years old.
They have taken samples from some, not all, and have found isopropanol in the blood. It is a technical spirit used for hand disinfection and cleaning of technology. It is toxic. Some have been so ill that they have been taken to the emergency room.
The risks of drinking the spirit are that you become so affected that you lose consciousness.
In the worst case, it can lead to the fact that you cannot protect your airway, that you fall asleep outdoors, now it is very cold outside, and become so chilled that you die, says Patrik Söderberg.
Five people arrested
The youths, between 13 and 15 years old, were found on Saturday evening in Nacka and Tyresö, and in connection with a party in Vallentuna on Friday.
There are reports in at least one of these cases that they have bought so-called fake spirits, says the police's press spokesperson Ola Österling.
Five people have been arrested suspected of having sold alcohol, one of whom is a minor. They are suspected of serious unlawful handling of spirits, serious unlawful sale of alcohol and causing bodily harm.
The youths on Friday had drunk alcohol they bought from a so-called "vodkabil" that they got in touch with via Snapchat.
Erik Lindeman, a doctor at the Poison Information Center, says that isopropanol is much less serious to get into than, for example, methanol or antifreeze - and that it does not lead to severe poisoning in itself.
But with isopropanol, you become about twice as drunk per unit of volume, as with regular alcohol. Then it breaks down into acetone, which makes you feel affected even during the hangover.
"Indicates zero judgment"
Lindeman is worried that it seems to be organized sales of a product with industrial alcohol, where the people behind do not seem to care about how it affects those who drink the spirit.
They seem to take very lightly what is actually in the bottles. It is grotesque and indicates zero judgment or responsibility for the one who is to drink the product.
The incident is "terrible", according to Minister of Health and Social Affairs Elisabeth Lann (KD), who is also responsible for youth issues.
"I am both upset and worried. The police and healthcare have made important efforts to care for the children and apprehend the suspects for the sale. But I also want to urge parents to talk to their children about the dangers of bootlegged spirits", she says in a written comment to TT.
Isopropanol is a colorless alcohol that is included in, among other things, carburetor cleaner, windshield washer fluid and disinfectants.
Isopropanol can be dangerous to ingest, especially for children. Symptoms that can occur include, among other things, intoxication, low blood pressure, vomiting and abdominal pain.
If a small child has ingested the product, the advice is:
Give a little drink.
Call the Poison Information Center and check the risk of the product.
Go to the hospital in case of symptoms of intoxication or after consuming more than a sip.
Source: Poison Information Center
