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Methanol - Toxicological Overview

Key Points

Kinetics and metabolism

  • Readily absorbed by all routes and distributed in the body water
  • Undergoes extensive metabolism, but small quantities are excreted unchanged in the lungs and in the kidneys
  • Excretion of methanol is relatively slow (t½ is about 24 h) and is primarily as formic acid in the urine

Health effects of acute exposure

  • Methanol is toxic following ingestion, inhalation or percutaneous exposure
  • Exposure may initially result in CNS depression, followed by an asymptomatic latent period
  • Metabolic acidosis and ocular toxicity, which may result in blindness are subsequent manifestations of toxicity
  • Coma and death may occur following substantial exposures
  • Long term effects may include blindness and following more substantial exposures, permanent damage to the CNS.

Health effects of chronic exposure

  • Long term inhalation exposure to methanol may cause headaches and eye irritation
  • Methanol is considered not to be a mutagen or carcinogen in humans
  • Methanol is considered not to be a reproductive toxicant in humans

 

Decontamination and First Aid       Summary of Health Effects

Prepared by J D Pritchard
CHAPD HQ, HPA
2007
Version 2

This document will be reviewed not later than 3 years, or sooner if substantive evidence becomes available.