Methanol, found in products such as antifreeze and paint thinners, can cause serious poisoning and even death. Symptoms include blindness, stomach pains, and seizures. Treatment includes hospitalization and may require dialysis and respiratory support. Methanol poisoning is often accidental, but some alcoholics may consume it intentionally.
Methanol is a type of alcohol not intended for human or animal consumption. It is common to find methanol in products such as antifreeze, canned heat sources like Sterno, paints, wiper fluids, paint thinners, and fuel additives. Methanol poisoning is extremely serious and can result in death within hours if not treated immediately.
Just a couple of tablespoons (about 14-28 mL) of methanol can cause methanol poisoning in children. In adults, two ounces (56 mL) can cause poisoning. Ingestion of methanol is a cause for serious concern and immediate hospital treatment.
Methanol poisoning has a number of symptoms. These include bizarre behavior, falling into a coma, extreme dizziness, severe headaches and seizures. Consuming methanol can make a person temporarily blind, dilate the pupils, and cause blurred vision. The digestive system starts rejecting the methanol immediately and symptoms can include severe stomach pains, nausea and diarrhea. Methanol also impairs liver and pancreatic function. Even with treatment, a person can have permanent liver damage.
Other symptoms of this condition are difficulty breathing, signs of low oxygen levels through blue nails and lips, complete fatigue and leg cramps. These symptoms, when taken together, represent a medical emergency and you should contact 911 or the emergency services in your country immediately if you suspect methanol poisoning. You should not attempt to induce vomiting with ipecac syrup unless directed to by emergency services.
Treatment for methanol poisoning is fairly intensive. Many patients have a nasogastric tube inserted with activated charcoal, which helps “pump the stomach.” Patients are observed for sharp drops in blood pressure, seizures, or stopping breathing. It is quite common for people to need dialysis and most people are also given a methanol antidote in the form of ethanol. As symptoms develop, other medications, such as anticonvulsants, may be needed. Many people require respiratory support such as a respirator.
If you suspect methanol poisoning, it is important to take all suspect containers with methanol with you to the hospital. Laboratory testing can determine approximately how much methanol a product contains which can help predict the degree of symptoms. However, you shouldn’t waste time looking for containers of methanol if you don’t know what a person has consumed.
Most cases of methanol poisoning are accidental. Unfortunately, some alcoholics may actually consume methanol on purpose. This often causes irreversible blindness and can easily lead to death. To prevent this, some methanol products have added emetic properties, causing a person to vomit immediately after drinking them. This may not completely rid the body of methanol, and hospital treatment is still needed, even if a person vomits immediately after drinking methanol.
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