Ishita Roy

What Is Methanol Poisoning?

<span>Methanol poisoning</span>, sounds like something that cannot happen to anyone. Because, who, in sane mind would consume this toxic <span>alcohol</span> which is used as a fuel for factories and for electricity generation. However, in Laos, six tourists died of methanol poisoning, with travellers being warned of the dangers of the same. 

It is an industrial chemical found in antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid and not meant for human consumption. It is also highly toxic in nature and drinking small amounts can be damaging. 

<h4>What does methanol do to your body?</h4>

While it may look, and in fact taste like alcohol, and it can make you somewhat feel drunk, intoxicated and sick, which is why most people do not realise something is wrong. 

The harm, however happens, hours later. This is when your body attempts to clear it from the body by breaking it down in the liver. This is what creates toxic by-products called formaldehyde, formate, and formic acid. they then build up and start attacking the nerves and organs which can cause blindless, coma and death.

Formate is also the main toxin produced, which acts in a similar way to cyanide and stops energy production in cells. The brain too becomes very vulnerable. This could lead to parts of brain getting damaged, and eyes to go blind, and lose vision.

How it damages your body also depends or how well or not can your body take it. This means the less you weigh, the more you can be affected by a given amount. Experts also say that since it looks like regular alcohol, and the symptoms too are often vague, that no one understands, until they get really sick. 

Such cases must be treated as medical emergency and in hospital. There are drug treatments that too can be administered, as well as dialysis to clean the blood. Some cases can also be treated using <span>ethanol</span>, to outcompete the methanol metabolism, however, it must be done quickly.

This is because Ethanol acts as a competitive inhibitor and prevents the methanol breakdown. IT slows the process down and allows the body to vent methanol from the lungs and some through the kidney, and a little through sweat. The most important antidote is regular alcohol, however, it really depends on when you get the help.

Most of the cases happen in Asia, but there are some that happens in Africa and Latin America. The most important advice is especially for the travellers to be aware of what they are drinking and to ensure that if they consume alcohol, it is done only from licensed premises. 

Home-brewed drinks or bootleg spirits are to be avoided, because methanol is produced during the brewing process and concentrated by distillation. However, commercial manufacturers reduce the levels that are safe for human consumption, which may not be done at home-brewery.

Experts also point out that often backyard brewers add industrially produced methanol to increase profits. The UK Foreign Office advises travellers: "Take care if offered, particularly for free, or when buying spirit-based drinks. If labels, smell or taste seem wrong then do not drink."

<h4>What Drinks May Contain Methanol?</h4>

<ul><li>Local spirit like rice and palm liquor </li><li>Spirit-based mixed drinks, such as cocktails</li><li>Counterfeit brand-named bottled alcohol</li></ul>

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Methanol poisoning, sounds like something that cannot happen to anyone. Because, who, in sane mind would consume this toxic alcohol which is used as a fuel for factories and for electricity generation. However, in Laos, six tourists died of methanol poisoning, with travellers being warned of the dangers of the same. What is Methanol?It is an industrial chemical found in antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid and not meant for human consumption. It is also highly toxic in nature and drinking small amounts can be damaging. What does methanol do to your body?While it may look, and in fact taste like alcohol, and it can make you somewhat feel drunk, intoxicated and sick, which is why most people do not realise something is wrong. The harm, however happens, hours later. This is when your body attempts to clear it from the body by breaking it down in the liver. This is what creates toxic by-products called formaldehyde, formate, and formic acid. they then build up and start attacking the nerves and organs which can cause blindless, coma and death.Formate is also the main toxin produced, which acts in a similar way to cyanide and stops energy production in cells. The brain too becomes very vulnerable. This could lead to parts of brain getting damaged, and eyes to go blind, and lose vision.How it damages your body also depends or how well or not can your body take it. This means the less you weigh, the more you can be affected by a given amount. Experts also say that since it looks like regular alcohol, and the symptoms too are often vague, that no one understands, until they get really sick. How Can It Be Treated?Such cases must be treated as medical emergency and in hospital. There are drug treatments that too can be administered, as well as dialysis to clean the blood. Some cases can also be treated using ethanol, to outcompete the methanol metabolism, however, it must be done quickly.This is because Ethanol acts as a competitive inhibitor and prevents the methanol breakdown. IT slows the process down and allows the body to vent methanol from the lungs and some through the kidney, and a little through sweat. The most important antidote is regular alcohol, however, it really depends on when you get the help.Cases of Methanol PoisoningMost of the cases happen in Asia, but there are some that happens in Africa and Latin America. The most important advice is especially for the travellers to be aware of what they are drinking and to ensure that if they consume alcohol, it is done only from licensed premises. Home-brewed drinks or bootleg spirits are to be avoided, because methanol is produced during the brewing process and concentrated by distillation. However, commercial manufacturers reduce the levels that are safe for human consumption, which may not be done at home-brewery.Experts also point out that often backyard brewers add industrially produced methanol to increase profits. The UK Foreign Office advises travellers: "Take care if offered, particularly for free, or when buying spirit-based drinks. If labels, smell or taste seem wrong then do not drink."What Drinks May Contain Methanol?Local spirit like rice and palm liquor Spirit-based mixed drinks, such as cocktailsCounterfeit brand-named bottled alcohol