Methanol poisoning case reports

[Tony]

I was doing some reading on the cumulative effects and symptoms of methanol poisoning (just so I would know how to spot it in myself, should the symptoms arise) and found this:

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+93

Scroll down to "/CASE REPORTS/" for some example cases of ingestion or inhalation and the effect it had on the people involved.

It does seem that a lot of medical knowledge of the toxicity and effect of methanol poisoning comes from cases like this.  Makes for interesting reading.

At one end of the scale:

A case is described of an experimental physicist who developed parkinsonism, apparently as delayed toxic effect of long exposure to vapors of methanol in the laboratory. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) supported the diagnosis, after exclusion of hereditary diseases and primary degenerative diseases. Screening for heavy metals in urine and plasma ceruloplasmin was negative. This case illustrates the neurotoxic delayed effect of long-term exposure to methanol with no episodes of acute intoxication.

At the other:

In three workers with methanol exposures of 1250-2130 mg/m3, 1385-2075 mg/m3 and 155-4685 mg/m3 (953-1626 ppm, 1058-1585 ppm and 119-3577 ppm) the reaction of pupils to light was slow in two subjects, and a third subject had slight mydriatic pupils. The duration of service of the workers ranged from 0.3 to 7.8 years. The exposures were high and the methods for measurement of visual toxicity were relatively crude, but the data did not indicate that occupational exposure to such concentrations caused permanent damage.

[Julian]

Excellent find, Tony.  I tried to locate information a few years back after stupidly spilling methanol on my thigh and could find nothing as in depth.

That evening l got a "sensation" in the area of the spill which moved down my leg over the ensuing days.  The "sensation" settled in my heel and I developed plantar fasciitis which I've suffered from ever since.

Took a trip to the doctor and explained what happened.  He pretty much dismissed.  He sent me away advising  me to roll my instep on a cold drinks can.

Either the doctor knew all about methanol poisoning and methanol wasn't the cause or in the true low level NHS style he just wanted a quick patient turn round.


It would be great to link that webpage to the wiki methanol page.

[Julian]

Added a link to the wiki methanol page.