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The Journal of Emergency Medicine 1983Methanol poisoning is an uncommon but an extremely hazardous intoxication. Since methanol is a versatile fuel and is having increasing usage in an energy-conscious... (Review)
Review
Methanol poisoning is an uncommon but an extremely hazardous intoxication. Since methanol is a versatile fuel and is having increasing usage in an energy-conscious society, a high index of suspicion and swift laboratory confirmation is essential in managing this poisoning. Methanol poisoning may occur in sporadic or epidemic circumstances. Chronic exposure may occur in the occupational setting. Man is uniquely susceptible to methanol toxicity, perhaps dependent upon folate metabolism. Classic symptoms of methanol toxicity can only occur in laboratory animals who are rendered folate deficient. Folate may be useful in humans enhancing removal of the toxic products of methanol poisoning. The enzyme responsible for metabolism of methanol is alcohol dehydrogenase. Ethanol has a higher affinity for this enzyme and is preferentially metabolized. Simultaneous ethanol and methanol administration may confuse the onset of the intoxication. Pyrazoles may also be used to inhibit alcohol dehydrogenase thus preventing the intoxication. The most important initial symptom of methanol poisoning is visual disturbance. The symptoms may be delayed up to 24 hours after ingestion due to simultaneous alcohol administration and metabolic processes. Laboratory evidence of severe metabolic acidosis with increased anion and osmolar gaps strongly suggest the clinical diagnosis. There may be an important association between mean corpuscular volume which is significantly higher in cases of severe methanol poisoning than in mild cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Topics: Adult; Alcohol Dehydrogenase; Alcohol Oxidoreductases; Bicarbonates; Ethanol; Formates; Humans; Infant; Male; Methanol; Osmolar Concentration; Renal Dialysis; Vision Disorders
PubMed: 6386968
DOI: 10.1016/0736-4679(83)90009-4 -
Pediatrics in Review Dec 2011
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Trends in Biotechnology Jun 2020The increasing availability and affordability of natural gas has renewed interest in using methanol for bioproduction of useful chemicals. Engineering synthetic... (Review)
Review
The increasing availability and affordability of natural gas has renewed interest in using methanol for bioproduction of useful chemicals. Engineering synthetic methylotrophy based on natural or artificial methanol assimilation pathways and genetically tractable platform microorganisms for methanol-based biomanufacturing is drawing particular attention. Recently, intensive efforts have been devoted to demonstrating the feasibility and improving the efficiency of synthetic methylotrophy. Various fuel, bulk, and fine chemicals have been synthesized using methanol as a feedstock. However, fully synthetic methylotrophs utilizing methanol as the sole carbon source and commercially viable bioproduction from methanol remain to be developed. Here, we review ongoing efforts to identify limiting factors, optimize synthetic methylotrophs, and implement methanol-based biomanufacturing. Future challenges and prospects are also discussed.
Topics: Bioreactors; Carbon; Metabolic Engineering; Methanol; Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified
PubMed: 31932066
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.12.013 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2018Alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) is heavily used in the community and the healthcare setting to maintain hand hygiene. Methanol must never be used in such a... (Review)
Review
Alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) is heavily used in the community and the healthcare setting to maintain hand hygiene. Methanol must never be used in such a product because oral, pulmonary and/or skin exposures can result in severe systemic toxicity and even deaths. However, sporadic cases of acute poisoning indicate that alcohol-based hand rub with undeclared methanol may be found in the market from time to time. The unexpected presence of methanol poses a serious threat to public health. Unintentional ingestion by young children and inadvertent consumption by older subjects as alcohol (ethanol) substitute can occur. Methanol is more lethal and poisoning often requires antidotal therapy, in addition to supporting therapy and critical care. However, specific therapy may be delayed because the exposure to methanol is initially not suspected. When repeatedly used as a hand rub, skin absorption resulting in chronic toxicity (e.g., visual disturbances) occurs, particularly if methanol induced desquamation and dermatitis are present. Nationwide surveillance systems, regional/international toxicovigilance networks and situational awareness among the healthcare professionals should facilitate the early detection, management and prevention of such poisoning incidents of public health significance.
Topics: Hand Sanitizers; Health Personnel; Humans; Methanol; Skin Absorption
PubMed: 29987197
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071440 -
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT 1994
Review
Topics: Animals; Carcinogens; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Methanol; Mutagens; Nervous System; Toxicity Tests
PubMed: 7963246
DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550140412 -
FEMS Microbiology Reviews Mar 2021The production of bulk chemicals mostly depends on exhausting petroleum sources and leads to emission of greenhouse gases. Within the last decades the urgent need for... (Review)
Review
The production of bulk chemicals mostly depends on exhausting petroleum sources and leads to emission of greenhouse gases. Within the last decades the urgent need for alternative sources has increased and the development of bio-based processes received new attention. To avoid the competition between the use of sugars as food or fuel, other feedstocks with high availability and low cost are needed, which brought acetogenic bacteria into focus. This group of anaerobic organisms uses mixtures of CO2, CO and H2 for the production of mostly acetate and ethanol. Also methanol, a cheap and abundant bulk chemical produced from methane, is a suitable substrate for acetogenic bacteria. In methylotrophic acetogens the methyl group is transferred to the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, a pathway to reduce CO2 to acetate via a series of C1-intermediates bound to tetrahydrofolic acid. Here we describe the biochemistry and bioenergetics of methanol conversion in the biotechnologically interesting group of anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria. Further, the bioenergetics of biochemical production from methanol is discussed.
Topics: Acetates; Bacteria; Energy Metabolism; Ethanol; Green Chemistry Technology; Methanol
PubMed: 32901799
DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa040 -
Environmental Research Jul 2023Intoxication with methanol most commonly occurs as a consequence of ingesting, inhaling, or coming into contact with formulations that include methanol as a base.... (Review)
Review
Intoxication with methanol most commonly occurs as a consequence of ingesting, inhaling, or coming into contact with formulations that include methanol as a base. Clinical manifestations of methanol poisoning include suppression of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal symptoms, and decompensated metabolic acidosis, which is associated with impaired vision and either early or late blindness within 0.5-4 h after ingestion. After ingestion, methanol concentrations in the blood that are greater than 50 mg/dl should raise some concern. Ingested methanol is typically digested by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), and it is subsequently redistributed to the body's water to attain a volume distribution that is about equivalent to 0.77 L/kg. Moreover, it is removed from the body as its natural, unchanged parent molecules. Due to the fact that methanol poisoning is relatively uncommon but frequently involves a large number of victims at the same time, this type of incident occupies a special position in the field of clinical toxicology. The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in erroneous assumptions regarding the preventative capability of methanol in comparison to viral infection. More than 1000 Iranians fell ill, and more than 300 of them passed away in March of this year after they consumed methanol in the expectation that it would protect them from a new coronavirus. The Atlanta epidemic, which involved 323 individuals and resulted in the deaths of 41, is one example of mass poisoning. Another example is the Kristiansand outbreak, which involved 70 people and resulted in the deaths of three. In 2003, the AAPCC received reports of more than one thousand pediatric exposures. Since methanol poisoning is associated with high mortality rates, it is vital that the condition be addressed seriously and managed as quickly as feasible. The objective of this review was to raise awareness about the mechanism and metabolism of methanol toxicity, the introduction of therapeutic interventions such as gastrointestinal decontamination and methanol metabolism inhibition, the correction of metabolic disturbances, and the establishment of novel diagnostic/screening nanoparticle-based strategies for methanol poisoning such as the discovery of ADH inhibitors as well as the detection of the adulteration of alcoholic drinks by nanoparticles in order to prevent methanol poisoning. In conclusion, increasing warnings and knowledge about clinical manifestations, medical interventions, and novel strategies for methanol poisoning probably results in a decrease in the death load.
Topics: Humans; Child; Methanol; Pandemics; Iran; COVID-19; Poisoning
PubMed: 37072082
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115886 -
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of... Dec 2004
Review
Topics: Biomarkers; Chromatography, Gas; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Formates; Humans; Methanol; Reference Values; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 15658386
DOI: No ID Found -
Lancet (London, England) Apr 1983
Topics: Acidosis; Ethanol; Formates; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Methanol
PubMed: 6132225
DOI: No ID Found -
Canadian Medical Association Journal Jan 1983
Topics: Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Female; Humans; Male; Methanol; Middle Aged
PubMed: 6847749
DOI: No ID Found