Methanol poisoning: What you need to know

Two young Aussies have been hospitalised in Thailand after suspected methanol poisoning. Here’s everything we know and what to look out for.

Two young women from Melbourne, both believed to be 19 years old, are on life support in a Thailand hospital after contracting methanol poisoning while staying at a youth hostel in Vientiane, Laos.

The girls’ drinks are believed to have been spiked with methanol.

Methanol poisoning has long been a serious issue in Asian countries, due to the high cost of spirits.

Local bars have been known to illegally water down spirits with methanol to save money, unbeknown to tourists.

Here is everything we know about methanol poisoning.

WHAT IS METHANOL?

Methanol, which is colourless, is the simplest form of alcohol.

According to the Methanol Institute, it is a chemical building block for hundreds of everyday products, including plastics, paints, car parts and construction materials.

Methanol is also a clean energy resource used to fuel cars, trucks, buses, ships, fuel cells, boilers and cook stoves.

WHY IS METHANOL DANGEROUS?

The chemical is closely related to ethanol, the type of alcohol normally found in beer, wine and spirits, but is a dangerous poison.

Drinking just 25-90ml of methanol can be fatal without proper medical treatment.

Many cases of blindness or death have been caused by drinking mixtures containing methanol.

WHAT IS METHANOL FOUND IN?

Methanol is found in many products, including but not limited to:

- Antifreeze

- Canned heating sources

- Copy machine fluids

- De-icing fluid

- Fuel additives (octane boosters)

- Paint remover or thinner

- Shellac

- Varnish

- Windshield wiper fluid

Methanol poisoning can happen when drinks are spiked at bars.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF METHANOL POISONING?

According to the Methanol Institute, when methanol is ingested into the body, it is converted into formaldehyde and then into formic acid, which causes a person’s blood to become acidic.

Methanol poisoning in its early stages might be difficult to distinguish from inebriation from normal ethanol consumption.

Severe symptoms do not usually occur until 12-24 hours after consumption and can include:

- Abdominal pain

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Breathing difficulty

- Blindness

- Headache

- Vertigo

- Blurred vision

- Seizures

- Coma

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’VE BEEN POISONED WITH METHANOL?

Methanol poisoning can be treated successfully if diagnosed within 10-30 hours of ingestion.

If you or someone you know have been poisoned with methanol, seek immediate medical help.

You should get to a hospital which has dialysis equipment as soon as possible.

HOW TO AVOID METHANOL POISONING

According to Cover More travel insurance agency, these are some steps to follow while travelling overseas.

- Only buy alcohol from reputable venues and shops

- Avoid pre-mixed drinks that have not been poured in front of you

- Avoid buying from market stalls or informal stores

- If the price of your drink is too good to be true, then it probably is. Imported spirits can be pricey in places like Bali and Thailand. If your drink or bottle of spirits is much cheaper than what you would pay at home, it is most likely a home brew.

- Check that the seals are intact and that the label is free from spelling errors or poor labelling

- Never leave your drink unattended.

Originally published as Methanol poisoning: What you need to know