Epidemics/Outbreaks of Methanol Poisoning

Abstract

Epidemics of methanol poisoning happen across the globe. There are prognostic factors associated with morbidity or mortality from methanol poisoning. Recently we have compared retrospective observational case series of methanol-poisoned patients from Norway (1979 and 2002-2005), Estonia (2001) and Tunisia (2003/2004), and patients from two different centers in Iran (Teheran 2004-2009 and Mashhad 2009-2010).¹ According to this findings, 23% died. Among them, a pH < 7.00, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) < 8, and a pCO₂ ≥ 3.1 kPa in spite of a pH < 7.00 were found to be the strongest risk factor for poor outcome. <br/>In Iran, methanol poisoning outbreaks happen on yearly basis. It is important to have a treatment protocol in place to be prepared for potential large ones, such as what has happened in Rafsanjan last year. This review emphasizes on a road map to develop a national guideline to encounter methanol poisoning/outbreaks.