List of methanol poisoning incidents

Outbreaks of methanol toxicity have occurred when methanol is used to lace moonshine (bootleg liquor), which is an alcohol-related crime. However, it may also happen if ethanol has been contaminated.

Methanol is a toxic alcohol to humans via ingestion due to metabolism. Ingestion of as little as 3.16 grams of methanol can cause irreversible optic nerve damage, and the oral LD50 for humans is estimated to be 56.2 grams. This does not happen with ethanol, which breaks down into acetic acid, which is non-toxic in small amounts. Reference dose for methanol is 0.5 mg/kg/day. Toxic effects take hours to start, and effective antidotes, like ethanol, can often prevent permanent damage. Because of its similarities in both appearance and odor to ethanol (the alcohol in beverages), it is difficult to differentiate between the two.

A more comprehensive list of methanol incidents can be found through the Médecins sans Frontières´ (MSF/Doctors without Borders) data collection at MSF methanol incidents. Further material can also be found at https://methanolpoisoning.msf.org

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