Normally methanol is used in consumer products like antifreeze, window cleaning solutions, industrial solvents, and some fuels. It is also a component in products such as paint strippers, certain cosmetics, and adhesives. It is far cheaper than ethanol which is the normal alcohol used to make spirits and cocktails etc.
Methanol is a colourless, odourless liquid with a faint smell similar to ethanol and therefore cannot be detected when used as spirits and in cocktails. In some countries, with less stringent food and drink regulations, some unscrupulous people are illegally and deliberately adding methanol to bootleg or counterfeit alcoholic beverages for profit.
They then sell or give away these methanol-laced drinks to tourists on holiday in their country and are causing immeasurable harm and fatalities to these innocent consumers.
Countries where methanol poisoning has been reported
- Africa
- Bali
- Cambodia
- Canary Islands
- Greece
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Laos
- Latin America
- Philippines
- Spain
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Although some countries have tightened rules around alcoholic beverages, there is always a risk that someone will produce cheap alcohol to take advantage of tourists so caution must be taken as it only takes 25 ml to be cause serious damage to the body and eyes.
Methanol is highly toxic and can cause blindness, severe organ damage, and death. The metabolism of methanol in the body produces formic acid. Formic acid has a strong affinity for the optic pathway, causing severe damage to the nerves and resulting in vision loss.
This damage can lead to permanent optic atrophy and irreversible blindness if not treated very quickly.
Can blindness caused by methanol poisoning be reversed?
Methanol-induced blindness can sometimes be reversed, though it often leads to permanent vision loss, especially if treatment is delayed. Early and comprehensive treatment, including fomepizole (or ethanol), folinic acid, sodium bicarbonate, and haemodialysis, is crucial to inhibit the formation of formic acid, the toxic metabolite of methanol, and to remove it from the system.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Confusion
- Coma
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sudden dizziness
- Tiredness
- Vision problems (blurred, black spots and tunnel vision)
- Seizures
It can take from12 to 24 hours, with some cases extending up to 48 hours, before severe effects like metabolic acidosis, visual disturbances (including blindness), confusion, coma, and seizures emerge.
Often some of the symptoms can be mistaken for a serious hangover, but medical help should be sought immediately if alcohol has been consumed from any of the following sources especially when offered as a free courtesy drink:
- Bars.
- Nightclubs.
- Restaurants.
- Homemade alcoholic beverages or products that are being offered for free.
- Bottles of unknown brands from retail outlets.
- Unsealed bottles.
How to avoid methanol poisoning
- Ensure bottle seals are intact.
- Examine labels for poor print quality, spelling mistakes, or other errors.
- Be suspicious if the price seems too good to be true.
- Stick to well-known brands.
- Never leave drinks unattended.
Can methanol content be tested for?
Researchers have developed a portable, handheld device that uses a metal oxide sensor to detect methanol vapours, but this is not yet widely available commercially. There is, as yet, no way for consumers to test for methanol content in a drink.
NOTE: Fake posts have stated that methanol burns with a yellow flame whereas ethanol burns with a blue flame. This is incorrect as methanol also burns with a pale blue flame.
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