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Mojica CV, Pasol EA, Dizon ML, Kiat WA, Lim TRU, Dominguez JC, Valencia VV, Tuaño BJP. Chronic methanol toxicity through topical and inhalational routes presenting as vision loss and restricted diffusion of the optic nerves on MRI: A case report and literature review. eNeurologicalSci 2020; 20:100258. [PMID: 32775706 PMCID: PMC7394764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2020.100258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanol intoxication can cause irreversible neurologic sequelae if unrecognized and untreated. Ingestion is the most common form of toxicity; however, dermal and inhalational exposures likewise occur but are documented rarely. While acute intoxication is commonly encountered, chronic exposure to methanol should also be highlighted. We report a case of a 57-year old female presenting in the emergency room with progressive dyspnea, metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, and metabolic encephalopathy. After emergency hemodialysis, the patient complained of vision loss on both eyes. Initial non-contrast cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed restricted diffusion of the intraorbital segment of both optic nerves. A thorough history revealed that she was applying a clear colorless liquid bought online all over her body for alleged pruritus for more than a year. The syndrome of metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, metabolic encephalopathy, vision loss, and laboratory findings led us to suspect a diagnosis of chronic methanol poisoning with an acute component. The liquid in question was sent for chemical analysis and result showed that it consisted of 95.5% Methanol. This case highlights the need for high index of clinical suspicion for methanol toxicity in the absence of oral consumption, the complications of chronic form of methanol intoxication, and the uncommon radiologic finding seen in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christianne V. Mojica
- St. Luke's Medical Center, Institute for Neurosciences, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Esteban A. Pasol
- St. Luke's Medical Center, Institute for Neurosciences, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Mercedes L. Dizon
- St. Luke's Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Wenceslao A. Kiat
- St. Luke's Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Toxicology, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Timothy Reynold U. Lim
- St. Luke's Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Jacqueline C. Dominguez
- St. Luke's Medical Center, Institute for Neurosciences, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Vincent V. Valencia
- St. Luke's Medical Center, Heart Institute, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
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Eom H, Lee J, Kim EA. Screening of Workers with Presumed Occupational Methanol Poisoning: The Applicablility of a National Active Occupational Disease Surveillance System. Saf Health Work 2019; 10:265-274. [PMID: 31497324 PMCID: PMC6717905 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methyl 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. Methods We 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. Results Overall, 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. Conclusion This study revealed that active surveillance data can be used to assess health problems related to methyl alcohol poisoning in CNC processes and dispatch workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huisu Eom
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Lee
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-A Kim
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
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Kang CW, Kim H, Shin K, Ryu J, Jung-Choi K, Lim KH, Kim JH. Toxic Effects of Methanol among Illegally Dispatched Workers at Aluminum CNC Cutting Process in Small-Scale, Third-Tier Subcontractor Factories of Smartphone Manufacturers in the Republic of Korea. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:ijerph15071332. [PMID: 29941839 PMCID: PMC6068479 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
An outbreak of occupational methanol poisoning occurred in small-scale, third-tier factories of large-scale smartphone manufacturers in the Republic of Korea in 2016. To investigate the working environment and the health effects of methanol exposure among co-workers in the methanol poisoning cases, we performed a cross-sectional study on 155 workers at five aluminum Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) cutting factories. Gas chromatography measured air and urinary methanol concentration. In the medical examination, symptom surveys, ophthalmological examinations, and neurobehavioral tests were done. Multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for age and sex were conducted to reveal the association of employment duration with symptoms. Air concentrations of methanol in factory A and E ranged from 228.5 to 2220.0 ppm. Mean urinary methanol concentrations of the workers in each factory were from 3.5 mg/L up to 91.2 mg/L. The odds ratios for symptoms of deteriorating vision and central nervous system (CNS) increased according to the employment duration after adjusting for age and sex. Four cases with an injured optic nerve and two cases with decreased neurobehavioral function were founded among co-workers of the victims. This study showed that the methanol exposure under poor environmental control not only produces eye and CNS symptoms but also affects neurobehavioral function and the optic nerve. The role of subcontracting production and dispatched work under poor environmental control was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Won Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul 07985, Korea.
| | - Hyunjoo Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul 07985, Korea.
| | - Kyongsok Shin
- Center for Bio-Environmental Science, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Korea.
| | - Jia Ryu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07985, Korea.
| | - Kyunghee Jung-Choi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07985, Korea.
| | - Key Hwan Lim
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07985, Korea.
| | - Jin-Ha Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07985, Korea.
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Ryu J, Lim KH, Ryu DR, Lee HW, Yun JY, Kim SW, Kim JH, Jung-Choi K, Kim H. Two cases of methyl alcohol intoxication by sub-chronic inhalation and dermal exposure during aluminum CNC cutting in a small-sized subcontracted factory. Ann Occup Environ Med 2016; 28:65. [PMID: 27891239 PMCID: PMC5111284 DOI: 10.1186/s40557-016-0153-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methyl alcohol poisoning has been mainly reported in community. Two cases of methyl alcohol poisoning occurred in a small-sized subcontracted factory which manufactured smartphone parts in Korea. Case presentation One young female patient presented with dyspnea and visual disturbance. Another young male patient presented with visual disturbance and myalgia. They treated with sodium bicarbonate infusion and hemodialysis for metabolic acidosis. In addition, he received ethyl alcohol per oral treatment. Her and his urinary methyl alcohol concentration was detected as 7.632 mg/L, 46.8 mg/L, respectively, although they were treated hemodialysis. Results of the working environment measurement showed that the concentration of methyl alcohol (1030.1–2220.5 ppm) in the air exceeded the time weighted average (200 ppm). They were diagnosed with optic neuropathy due to methyl alcohol poisoning and still have visual impairment. Conclusions Workers who hired as dispatched employees in a small-sized subcontracted factory were exposed to high concentrations of methyl alcohol. The workplace had poor ventilation system. In addition, workers did not wear proper personal protect equipment. Working environment measurement and annual chekups for workers were not performed. They were in a blind spot to occupational safety and health. More attention is needed to protect vulnerable workers’ health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ryu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Key Hwan Lim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong-Ryeol Ryu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyang Woon Lee
- Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Young Yun
- Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seoung-Wook Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyunghee Jung-Choi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, 911-1, Mok-6-dong, Yangchun-gu, Seoul, 158-710 South Korea
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Batterman SA, Xiao H, Franzblau A. Blood and Urine Bioindicators for Methanol Exposure: Effect of Chilled and Frozen Sample Storage. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/1047322x.1996.10389119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Barceloux DG, Bond GR, Krenzelok EP, Cooper H, Vale JA. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology practice guidelines on the treatment of methanol poisoning. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2002; 40:415-46. [PMID: 12216995 DOI: 10.1081/clt-120006745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
EPIDEMIOLOGY Almost all cases of acute methanol toxicity result from ingestion, though rarely cases of poisoning have followed inhalation or dermal absorption. The absorption of methanol following oral administration is rapid and peak methanol concentrations occur within 30-60minutes. MECHANISMS OF TOXICITY Methanol has a relatively low toxicity and metabolism is responsible for the transformation of methanol to its toxic metabolites. Methanol is oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenase to formaldehyde. The oxidation of formaldehyde to formic acid is facilitated by formaldehyde dehydrogenase. Formic acid is converted by 10-formyl tetrahydrofolate synthetase to carbon dioxide and water. In cases of methanol poisoning, formic acid accumulates and there is a direct correlation between the formic acid concentration and increased morbidity and mortality. The acidosis observed in methanol poisoning appears to be caused directly or indirectly by formic acid production. Formic acid has also been shown to inhibit cytochrome oxidase and is the prime cause of ocular toxicity, though acidosis can increase toxicity further by enabling greater diffusion of formic acid into cells. FEATURES Methanol poisoning typically induces nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and mild central nervous system depression. There is then a latent period lasting approximately 12-24 hours, depending, in part, on the methanol dose ingested, following which an uncompensated metabolic acidosis develops and visualfunction becomes impaired, ranging from blurred vision and altered visual fields to complete blindness. MANAGEMENT For the patient presenting with ophthalmologic abnormalities or significant acidosis, the acidosis should be corrected with intravenous sodium bicarbonate, the further generation of toxic metabolite should be blocked by the administration of fomepizole or ethanol and formic acid metabolism should be enhanced by the administration of intravenous folinic acid. Hemodialysis may also be required to correct severe metabolic abnormalities and to enhance methanol and formate elimination. For the methanol poisoned patient without evidence of clinical toxicity, the first priority is to inhibit methanol metabolism with intravenous ethanol orfomepizole. Although there are no clinical outcome data confirming the superiority of either of these antidotes over the other, there are significant disadvantages associated with ethanol. These include complex dosing, difficulties with maintaining therapeutic concentrations, the need for more comprehensive clinical and laboratory monitoring, and more adverse effects. Thus fomepizole is very attractive, however, it has a relatively high acquisition cost. CONCLUSION The management of methanol poisoning includes standard supportive care, the correction of metabolic acidosis, the administration of folinic acid, the provision of an antidote to inhibit the metabolism of methanol to formate, and selective hemodialysis to correct severe metabolic abnormalities and to enhance methanol and formate elimination. Although both ethanol and fomepizole are effective, fomepizole is the preferred antidote for methanol poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald G Barceloux
- American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8820, USA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Injuries involving chemicals occur aboard merchant ships, since such agents are carried commonly on board either as cargo or as needed for running the ship. In case of events involving chemicals, the crew may seek advice from the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods published by the International Maritime Organization. The Guide is currently under revision. To improve knowledge of what is relevant in such a guide, a study was undertaken to identify all intoxications and corrosive incidents occurring aboard Danish merchant ships. METHODS A retrospective study of all intoxications and corrosive incidents reported to the Danish Maritime authorities between 1988 and 1996. RESULTS A total of 177 injuries were identified, of which 66 were systemic poisonings and 111 were due to corrosive damage to the eyes and skin. Thirteen of 66 systemic poisonings were fatal and almost three out of four corrosive injuries involved the eyes. CONCLUSIONS This study and others show that the majority of injuries aboard merchant ships involving dangerous goods are amenable to first aid and symptomatic measures. Specific antidotes seem to have a limited role aboard merchant ships.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Hansen
- Institute of Maritime Medicine, Esbjerg, Denmark.
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Franzblau A, Batterman S, D'arcy JB, Sargent NE, Gross KB, Schreck RM. Breath Monitoring of Inhalation and Dermal Methanol Exposure. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1995. [DOI: 10.1080/1047322x.1995.10387698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- R Von Burg
- ICF Kaiser Engineering, Oakland, CA 94612
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