Methyl Alcohol Poisoning Research Articles

Electrocardiographic Changes, Mortality, and Late Period Findings in Methyl Alcohol Poisoning

Background: Methyl alcohol poisoning (MAP) is a common commercial compound that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality when exposed to high levels. This study aims to describe MAP-related electrocardiography (ECG) changes and post-acute late complications. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted through a retrospective data review between 2017 and 2023. Patient data were recorded, including demographic information, medication use, and laboratory results. Twelve-lead ECG recordings were evaluated and the results were recorded. The cases included in the study were grouped according to QTc distance, ECG findings, late-term complications, treatment status, and mortality. Results: The mean age of all cases included in the study (n = 227) was 43.23 ± 11.11 years, 8 (3.5%) cases were female, and the age distribution was between 19 and 68 years (p = 0.792). The age distribution of QTc groups was not significant (p = 0.792). The mean QTc distance was 442.7 ± 60.1 ms in all cases (n = 227) and 514.08 ± 5.45 ms in cases with mortality (n = 49) (p < 0.001). The mean time to application of the patients to the hospital (n = 227) was 19.1 ± 4.61 h, and blood sugar was 130.7 ± 32.09 mg/dL (p < 0.001). In addition, the mean pH of the cases (n = 227) was 7.14 ± 0.2, bicarbonate was 17.17 ± 4.86 mmol/L, the base deficit was −6.21 ± 3.18 mmol/L, the anion gap was 19.36 ± 7.31 mmol/L, and lactate was 4.82 ± 2.45 mmol/L (p < 0.001). Mortality occurred in 49 (21.6%) of the patients, and all of them were in-hospital deaths. In all cases where mortality occurred, pH was below 6.93 ± 0.22 and severe acidosis was directly related to death. MAP, sinus tachycardia in 31 (13.7%) cases, bradycardia in 8 (3.5%), atrial fibrillation in 5 (2.2%), accelerated idioventricular rhythm in 3 (1.3%), and 11 (4.8%), left bundle branch block, and right bundle branch block were detected in 22 (9.7%). All of these ECG findings were newly developed conditions with no previous history. In the 6-month follow-up after discharge, 4 (1.8%) of the cases developed neurological deficit, 15 (6.6%) had acute coronary syndrome and severe heart failure, 23 (10.1%) had permanent blindness, 6 (2.7%) had renal failure, and 6 (2.7%) had pancreatitis. Conclusion: Methyl alcohol poisoning can cause various ECG changes; sinus tachycardia, nonspecific changes, and QTc prolongation are the most common findings. These changes are more pronounced in cases of severe acidosis. Patients should be warned of late signs of MAP.

Methyl alcohol intoxication in Izmir: A retrospective analysis

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate methyl alcohol poisoning cases in Izmir. Patients and methods: The retrospective study included 15 patients (14 males, 1 female; mean age: 56.1±9.3 years; range, 40 to 71 years) diagnosed with methyl alcohol poisoning due to counterfeit alcoholic beverage consumption between October 1, 2020, and October 30, 2020. Patients were grouped according to survival. The demographic and clinical data, including the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scoring and Glasgow Coma Scale scores, were compared. Results: Of the patients, eight (53.3%) died, and seven survived. There was no significant difference between deceased and surviving patients regarding optical nerve involvement, mechanical ventilation need, and dyspnea (p=0.057, p=0.467, and p=0.467, respectively). On the other hand, a significant difference was observed between deceased and surviving patients regarding radiological imaging, visual impairment, gastrointestinal symptoms, and vasopressor agent need (p=0.044, p<0.001, p=0.011, and p=0.026, respectively). Mortality was significantly correlated with vasopressor agent needs, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and Glasgow Coma Scale score (p=0.009; r=0.645, p=0.009; r=–0.652, p=0.008; and r=0.562, p=0.029; respectively). Conclusion: Methyl alcohol poisoning is a common and even accelerating problem in Türkiye and results in high mortality and morbidity. Clinical, social, and economic strategies should be developed by national authorities to combat the issue.

Factors Predicting Mortality in Methyl Alcohol Intoxication: A Retrospective Clinical Trial

Factors Predicting Mortality in Methyl Alcohol Intoxication: A Retrospective Clinical Trial

Pathogenetic basis of optic nerve atrophy in methanol poisoning

Optic nerve atrophy is a pathomorphological consequence of diseases of the peripheral neuron of the visual pathway, manifested as atrophy of nerve fibers of varying severity. The toxic effect of methanol is mainly associated with formic acid and formaldehyde, which suppress the cytochrome system, inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, and thereby cause a deficiency of adenosine triphosphoric acid, to which brain and retinal tissues are especially susceptible. When formiate accumulates, tissue respiration is disrupted, leading to pronounced tissue hypoxia. As a result of such methanol metabolism, metabolic acidosis occurs. Tissue hypoxia develops in the first few hours as a result of the action of formic acid on the respiratory enzyme chain at the cytochrome oxidase level. Hypoxia and, as a consequence, a decrease in energy supply lead to a disruption of biological oxidation and the development of apoptosis in the optic nerve fibers. Understanding the process of optic nerve atrophy development at the pathogenetic level in methyl alcohol intoxication will help make a correct early diagnosis and prescribe timely treatment.

Intracranial Bleeding in Methanol Intoxication Case

Methyl alcohol, which is mostly used in the industrial sector, is also widely used in our country to obtain cheap drinks. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a distinctive odor. Even 8-10 ml of methanol taken into the body from outside is toxic. Approximately 25-30 ml of methanol can cause poisoning that can lead to permanent blindness. The best method for the definitive diagnosis of methyl alcohol poisoning is to measure the methanol level in the blood. Patients may develop headache, central nervous system depression, coma and seizure. Imaging is recommended in patients with altered consciousness. Putaminal necrosis and intracranial hemorrhage (SAH, putaminal intraparenchymal hemorrhage) may develop in these patients. Our case is a 50-year-old male patient with a history of constant homemade alcohol consumption. The patient was brought with complaints of visual impairment and confusion after drinking alcohol. Basal ganglia hemorrhage was detected on the patient's cranial tomography. The patient, who was admitted to intensive care, deteriorated and died on the 4th day of his treatment. Morbidity and mortality rates can be very high in patients presenting with suspected methanol intoxication. Therefore, we wanted to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Methyl Alcohol Intoxication Followed up in the Intensive Care Unit and Factors Affecting Mortality

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Methyl Alcohol Intoxication Followed up in the Intensive Care Unit and Factors Affecting Mortality

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Patients with Substance Intoxication Presenting to the Emergency Department.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Patients with Substance Intoxication Presenting to the Emergency Department.

Investigation of deaths related to methyl alcohol intoxication in Izmir: A 5-year retrospective study

Methyl alcohol consumption results in serious poisoning symptoms and even causes death, so it is not used in legal alcoholic beverages. We aimed to examine deaths due to methyl alcohol intoxication in our region through forensic autopsies performed in Izmir-Turkey to compare these data with international studies. A total of 13,701 autopsies performed between 2016-2021 were scanned retrospectively. 214 cases in which the exact cause of death was methanol intoxication were included in the study. All the cases were analyzed in terms of age, gender, date of death, place of death, length of hospitalization, methanol levels detected in blood and the vitreous humor, ethanol presence in blood, and pathological findings. The ratio of autopsies of the exact cause of death of methanol poisoning to total autopsies is 1.56%. Of these cases, 94.9% were male and 5.1% were female. The age range was 25–80 years, with a mean age of 53.4. According to the age distributions, the highest rate was 39.3% in the sixth decade. The highest number of cases was 129 (60.3%) in 2020. In the analysis of blood methanol levels, the concentration was found to be in the range of 0-642 mg/dl and the mean was 178 mg/dl. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in methanol poisoning cases associated with the economic and social problems experienced in Turkey. Our study showed that methanol poisoning deaths are especially common in men aged 50-60 years so this group is at higher risk of methanol poisoning.

Acil Servise Başvuran Metil Alkol Zehirlenmelerinin Geriye Dönük Analizi

Objective: Methyl alcohol poisoning remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. This poisoning is still one of the important reasons for admission to emergency services. We aimed to examine the admission complaints, laboratory findings, treatment methods, clinical outcomes and examine the factors affecting the mortality of patients diagnosed with methyl alcohol poisoning in the emergency department.
 Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, we analysed the patients who were considered to be diagnosed with methyl alcohol intoxication among those who came to our emergency department due to alcohol intoxication from June 1, 2018 to June 1, 2020.
 Results: The study included 20 (4.86%) individuals with methyl alcohol poisoning among 411 people who presented to the emergency department due to ethyl and methyl alcohol intake and resulting effects.The mean age of the patients was 47.35±14.2 years and 85% (n=17/20) were male. Upon reviewing the patients' admission symptoms, 70% were observed to have visual problems, 60% complaints of vomiting, 45% shortness of breath, and 40% changes in consciousness. In the study, it was revealed that 18.2%(n=2/11) females and 81.8%(n=9/11) males died, and the mortality rate was calculated as 55%(n=11/20).
 Conclusions: The presence of visual problems, hypotension, and coma in clinical findings, high anion gap metabolic acidosis, marked osmolar gap, an increase in lactate level, and hyperglycemia in laboratory findings may be the early signs of mortality in patients with methyl alcohol poisoning. Therefore, patients with these signs should be followed up more closely and treated.

Methyl alcohol intoxication and concomitant psychoactive substances in forensic cases

Methyl alcohol is an alcohol derivative that is widely used in the industry and is easy to obtain. Methyl alcohol intoxication is a serious condition. Especially in recent days, the cases of methyl alcohol intoxication, which has caused the death of many people, have again focused attention on this intoxication in Turkey. Use of homemade drinks containing methyl alcohol and fake alcohol can be shown as the reason for this. Forensic cases (mostly postmortem) with positive methyl alcohol results were analyzed. The presence of psychoactive, legal, and illegal abuse potential substances was also evaluated in the samples of the positive cases. The toxicological analysis results of biological samples (postmortem and antemortem) belonging to forensic cases that came to the Forensic Medicine Institute Izmir Group Presidency, Chemistry Department between 2017–2020 were evaluated. Methyl alcohol and its metabolites are routinely analyzed by headspace-gas chromatography (HS-GC) and headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) in biological samples (postmortem-ante mortem). In addition to methyl alcohol, the analysis of illegal, legal, and medical substances in blood and urine samples is performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS/MS). The analysis results were obtained from the National Judicial Network Project (UYAP) and then analyzed statistically. In the samples of the positive cases, the presence of psychoactive, legal, and illegal abuse potential substances was also evaluated. In total, 42,564 cases were screened and methyl alcohol was detected in 0.6% ( n = 247) of these cases. The mean age of methyl alcohol-positive cases was 53.43 ± 10.66 (min: 25; max: 76), 95.1% of which were male. In total, there are 205 postmortem, 4 antemortem, and 38 unreachable cases with methyl alcohol detected. Although there was a significant increase between the years, the positive rate increased significantly in 2020 compared to the previous year (22 times more). The most common cause of death was methyl alcohol intoxication. In the majority of cases (16.6%), the methyl alcohol level was in the range of 150–300 mg/dL, followed by the concentration range of 301–499 mg/dL (12.6%). In the evaluated cases, besides the results of methyl alcohol, the presence of medical, medically abused legal, abused legal, and abused illegal substances in blood and urine were also examined. The medical and medically abused legal substance has mostly been detected in blood and urine. The high taxes on alcoholic beverages and the prohibitions that came into effect during the pandemic period caused an increase in illegal alcohol production. In our country, it has been prohibited to sell ethyl alcohol and methanol online since 2020. Despite this ban, the increase in the detection of methyl alcohol in 2020 is remarkable to our findings. As can be seen from the results of our study, increasing methyl alcohol use increases the responsibility of the people working in forensic and clinical laboratories. Especially during the pandemic period considering the increase in individual news, reveals the necessity of scientific data instead of popular data on the use of methyl alcohol. With this study, it is predicted that providing data to the field of forensic toxicology will both shed light on toxicological analyzes and benefit lawmakers for strategies developed to prevent the use of methyl alcohol.

The predictors of mortality in patients with methyl alcohol intoxication

Aim: Methanol intoxication is a worldwide public health problem. Mortality rates are quite high unless there is early intervention and diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of mortality in patients with methyl alcohol intoxication. Material and Method: The study included 18 patients admitted to emergency department of our hospital in 2019-2020, who were diagnosed with methanol intoxication. Laboratory parameters and basic features of the patients were recorded. According to the criteria of 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), patients were diagnosed with AKI. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.7±15.21 years and 72.2% of those were male. The mortality and AKI rate were 38.9% and 44.4%, respectively. In regression analyses, delay in admission to hospital, low Glasgow coma scale score, AKI development and high lactate level were independent predictors of mortality. According to ROC analyses when lactate level was more than 5.75 mmol/L, mortality rate increased more rapidly. Conclusion: Mortality rate is very high in methanol intoxication. Patients with AKI and high lactate levels should be intervened faster.

The impact of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and quarantine responses on the toxic-epidemiological situation in Azerbaijan

Introduction. The global pandemic of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has not only been a serious stress test for healthcare systems in many countries around the world, but has also had a significant impact on the structure and number of acute chemical poisoning. The aim of this study was to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures on the toxic-epidemiological situation in Azerbaijan. Materials and methods. We conducted a comparative analysis of the database of the Clinical Medicine Center in Baku during the nine months of the pandemic period (March 20 - December 21, 2020) with the data of the same period in 2019 and the previous decade (2009-2018). Results. The alarming dynamics of a significant increase in the number of alcohol surrogates and primarily methyl alcohol poisoning, was revealed. If in the 10-year period of 2009-2018, the intoxication of alcohol surrogates was only 0.09% of the total poisoning cases, then during the study period of 2020 the share of such intoxications increased to 3.4%. The mortality rate in alcohol surrogate intoxication group in 2019 was 5.6% versus 50.0% in March-December 2020. All fatal cases in alcohol surrogate intoxication cohort were related to methyl alcohol poisoning, thus, the mortality rate of this pathology was 61.5%. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures had a notable impact on the toxic-epidemiological situation in Azerbaijan and led to a significant increase in alcohol and methanol poisoning and fatality. Limitations. The study was conducted on the basis of the only specialized medical institution in Azerbaijan engaged for the treatment of chemical poisoning, therefore the collected database can be considered representative and relevant to the country’s overall toxic-epidemiological situation.

Role of high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and visual evoked potential (VEP) in the management of methyl alcohol poisoning: A case series report

To study the effectiveness of high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and to discuss the role of visual evoked potential (VEP) as a marker of severity and of improvement in methyl alcohol poisoning.In an outbreak of methanol poisoning, a total of six patients presented to JNMCH, AMU. Meticulous history was taken followed by examination. They were treated with high dose IV methyl prednisolone and later underwent visual evoked potential testing. The patients were examined daily till the time of discharge and then followed up at 1 month.Following treatment with high dose IV methyl prednisolone, 100% of cases showed improvement in vision which was judged on the basis of visual acuity and visual evoked potential assessment at the time of presentation. As recorded by VEP, 4 patients (66.6%) had prolonged P100 latency while no response was recorded in 2 patients (33.3%). In 3 (50%) of the 6 cases, improvement in visual acuity of at least two lines of Snellen chart was observed at 1 month follow-up while two patients (33.3%) improved from doubtful light perception to counting fingers at least 2 metres and one patient (16.6%) improved from perception of light present to counting finger at least 2 metres.Early presentation and timely intervention improves visual outcome in methanol poisoning. High-dose IV methylprednisolone seems to have benefits in the treatment of methanol optic neuropathy. The VEP examination appears to be a sensitive marker for diagnosis and prognosis of even subclinical impairment of the optic system due to methanol poisoning.

Methyl Alcohol Poisoning: An Analysis of 18 Consecutive Cases

Methyl Alcohol Poisoning: An Analysis of 18 Consecutive Cases

Late Functional and Morphological Findings after Methylalcohol Poisoning.

The aim of the study was to determine the morphological and functional findings in apatient after methanol poisoning. Examination methods: The patient (male, 38 years old) was suffered methanol poisoning in eight years ago (2012). The following tests and examinations were performed: neurological visual field XR test (Medmont M700), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC) and peripapillary vessel density (all using Avanti RTvue, Optovue), pattern electroretinography (PERG) and pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) examination according to ISCEV methodology (Roland Consult Instrument) and brain MRI examination (Philips Achieva Dstream 3 T). The biggest changes were found in RNFL and VD. PERG also showed damage to retinal ganglion cell axons. In left eye we determined decrease in oscillations (in comparison with contralateral eye) at N35-P50 and P50-N95. VEPs in both eyes were significantly reduced, almost inconspicuous in the left eye. Extension of latency time of P100 was not identified. Functional MRI showed abilateral decrease in voxel activity with agreater decrease in the left eye. There were postmalatical changes in the dorsal parts of the putamen on MRI. The width of the optic nerve and chiasm was physiological. Asymmetric damaging of RNFL and cortical centres of the brain were determined. We registered large pathological changes in VD, which are probably responsible for the deepening of optic nerve excavation and further loss of nerve fibers of retinal ganglion cells, which have not yet been described in the literature. Following these results is possible to define direct damage of nerve structures and blood vessels by toxins of methanol metabolism in the acute stage and upcoming reparation processes in following periods.

The Pattern of Poisoning and It’s Management and Outcome in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bangladesh: An Observational Study

<i>Introduction:</i> In 2020, during the epidemic of corona, this study was done to see the patterns of the cases of Poisoning, in a tertiary hospital in Dhaka city. Poisoning exposure in adults and teenagers are more often intentional (recreational or suicidal), may involve multiple agents, which are commonly pharmaceuticals, and may be delayed in diagnosis and treatment. <i>Objective:</i> To assess the pattern of cases of poisoning found in 2020 January to February 2021, management and outcome. <i>Methods:</i> This Observational study was performed at Square Hospital, Dhaka, exclusively over 40 poisoned patients. It included the cases of poisoning, admitted in 2020 January to 2021 February. The collected cases are of commuter poisoning, suicidal poisoning, methyl alcohol poisoning and poisoning with sedative agents by housemaids. All these cases were admitted initially in the ICU after the initial management given in the Department of emergency. <i>Results:</i> In total we managed 40 cases. Among the 22 cases of suicidal poisoning, sedative poisoning was 10, antidepressant were 4, anti-schizophrenic was 1, anticonvulsant were 2, paracetamol poisoning was 1, propranolol poisoning 1. We found 1 case of paracetamol poisoning, 1 case of mixed oral anti diabetic agents (dapagliflozin, sitagliptin, glimeperide, added with metformin) 1 case of unknown poisoning (as blood level of drugs revealed nothing may be because of late presentation). We also found 12 cases of methanol poisoning and 6 patients of unknown poisoning. Among them 3 patients was poisoned by housemaid, 3 patients were cases of street poisoning. Benzodiazepine was found in all these 6 cases. In other studies it is found that, street poisoning by sedative hypnotic drugs were the highest percentage (37%) and all were male. E. Most of the victims of street poisoning were business man (67.56%) rest were normal/domestic travelers (16.2%) and few were service holders (10.81%). E. There were financial loss (loss of money or expensive things) of the patients. In analysis of the causes behind suicidal poisoning in other studies it is also found that, 57% were due to familial disharmony, 23% were poverty related, 15% were due to failure in affairs, 11% were due to failure in the examination, 4% were due to sexual abuse and 5% due to chronic illness and unknown cause. E. <i>Conclusion:</i> In the year of 2020, January to December, it was observed that the cases of alcohol poisoning was reduced. But in 2021 January to February there was a rapid rise of cases (8 cases in 2 months, the number we found in whole year of 2020 was only 4).

Acute Methyl Alcohol Poisoning: A Case Report in a Tertiary Hospital, Visakhapatnam

Acute Methyl Alcohol Poisoning: A Case Report in a Tertiary Hospital, Visakhapatnam

Reactive carbonyl compounds, carbonyl stress, and neuroinflammation in methyl alcohol intoxication

Methyl alcohol intoxications are characterized by high lethality and high prevalence of serious visual and brain damage in survivors. The mechanisms of toxic brain damage are complex and the role of carbonyl stress has not been studied yet. We measured the acute and follow-up concentrations of reactive carbonyl compounds in patients with acute methyl alcohol intoxication. Blood samples were collected from 28 subjects hospitalized with confirmed methyl alcohol intoxication and from 36 subjects who survived poisoning 2 years after discharge. Serum concentrations of C6–12 reactive aldehydes were measured by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. The acute concentrations of all measured reactive aldehydes were higher than the follow-up concentrations: 36.4 ± 4.8 vs. 21.6 ± 5.2 ng cm−3 for C6; 38.9 ± 5 vs. 17.0 ± 2.0 ng cm−3 for C7; 18.8 ± 3.9 vs. 4 ± 0 cm−3 for C8; 36.5 ± 3.9 vs. 19.0 ± 3.0 ng cm−3 for C9; 6.1 ± 0.4 vs. 4.0 ± 0.5 ng cm−3 for C10; 13.6 ± 3.0 vs. 3.7 ± 0.6 ng cm−3 for C11; and 7.8 ± 0.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.4 ng cm−3 for C12 (all p < 0.001). The patients who survived the intoxication had higher concentration of reactive carbonyl compounds than those who died: 38.6 ± 5.9 vs. 28.3 ± 1.7 ng cm−3 for C6 (p = 0.002); 20.7 ± 4.7 vs. 11.8 ± 1.2 ng cm−3 for C8 (p = 0.001); 37.7 ± 4.8 vs. 31.8 ± 3.8 ng cm−3 for C9 (p = 0.042); and 7.9 ± 0.6 vs. 7.3 ± 0.5 ng cm−3 for C12 (p = 0.022). A significant association was present between severity of metabolic acidosis, anion gap, and the acute concentration of measured biomarkers: r = − 0.39; p = 0.046 for C6; r = − 0.42; p = 0.035 for C7; r = − 0.48; p = 0.012 for C8; r = − 0.39; p = 0.046 for C9; and r = − 0.47; p = 0.015 for C11. The acute concentration of C6–C12 reactive aldehydes positively correlated with the acute serum concentration of leukotrienes (all p < 0.05). Acute elevation of serum concentration of reactive carbonyl compounds suggests that carbonyl stress is involved in the mechanisms of leukotriene-mediated neuroinflammatory response to methyl alcohol-induced toxic brain damage.

Screening of Workers with Presumed Occupational Methanol Poisoning: The Applicablility of a National Active Occupational Disease Surveillance System.

BackgroundMethyl alcohol poisoning in mobile phone–manufacturing factories during 2015–2016 was caused by methyl alcohol use for cleaning in computerized numerical control (CNC) processes. To determine whether there were health complications in other workers involved in similar processes, the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute conducted a survey.MethodsWe established a national active surveillance system by collaborating with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and National Health Insurance Service. Employment and national health insurance data were used. Overall, 12,048 employees of major domestic mobile phone companies and CNC process dispatch workers were surveyed from 2016 to 2017. We investigated methyl alcohol poisoning by using the national health insurance data. Questionnaires were used to investigate diseases due to methyl alcohol poisoning.ResultsOverall, 24.9% of dispatched workers were employed in at least five companies, and 23.9% of dispatched workers had missing employment insurance history data. The prevalence of blindness including visual impairment, optic neuritis, visual disturbances, and alcohol toxicity in the study participants was higher than that reported in the national health insurance database (0.02%, 0.07%, 0.23%, and 0.03% versus 0.01%, 0.07%, 0.13%, and 0.01%, respectively, in 2015). Moreover, 430 suspicious workers were identified; 415 of these provided an address and phone number, of whom 48 responded (response rate, 11.6%). Among the 48 workers, 10 had diseases at the time of the survey, of whom 3 workers were believed to have diseases related to methyl alcohol exposure.ConclusionThis study revealed that active surveillance data can be used to assess health problems related to methyl alcohol poisoning in CNC processes and dispatch workers.

Introducing a New Kit based on Modified Chromotropic Acid Method for Easy Determination of Methanol

Methyl alcohol poisoning usually happens by use of contaminated ethanol. So, development of an easy and cost-effective method to determine methanol in these products can be helpful to diagnosemethanolintoxication. The aim of this paper is introducing a new kit based on chromotropic acid method for measuring the methanol content of alcoholic beverages. In this study, a new modified chromotropic acid method (as a kit) was used to determine of methanol in 700 self-made samples with diverse ethanol concentration prepared by "add found" technique. Briefly, in the proposed method, produced formaldehyde by methanol oxidation is reacted with chromotropic acid in a high acidic media. The quantification limit of this kit lies below the permitted dose and safe amount of methanol in the beverages regulated by the European Parliament and the Council. The attained results indicate Limit of Quantification of the method is1250 mg/Land all examined samples with more methanol amounts are easily determined with good accuracy and precision. As for the European standard about permitted dose of methanol in beverages (up to 4000 mg/lin 40% v/v of alcohol strength) and gained results, it seems, this proposed method practically enables rapid and easy quantitative determination of methanol in all kind of alcoholic strength with suitable accuracy and precision. However, conclusive conclusions in this area will require further examination in actual samples of alcoholic beverages. But, to the best of our knowledge, there isn’t any report about such easy method.