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Introduction
Methanol also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol or wood spirit and chemically represented as CH3OH is used as a fuel for various purpose, but is unsuitable for consumption by any means. It is commonly used in products such as anti-freeze, heat sources such as Sterno canned food, paint, windshield washer fluid, paint thinner, and fuel additives. Methanol poisoning happens as a result of either accidental ingestion of products containing methanol or consumption of methanol intentionally/accidently as a replacement to ethanol.
A blood level of> 50 mg / dl is associated with severe methanol poisoning.
Alternative Names:
Wood Alcohol Poisoning
Epidemiology:
The exact epidemiology of methanol poisoning is difficult to quote down as recorded cases are much less than actual incidences, moreover researches show variable findings.
People affected are above 18 years of age and males show higher rate of incidence than females.
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