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Homebrewer -> Go see a DOC! (5/31/2002 5:56:35 AM)
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I had to check my tank for a blockage in the line today and also got a mouthful. I didn't swallow any, but got a splash into my back of my mouth, upper throat. Let's say that my autonomic nervous system did a wonderful job activing my gag reflex. The nitro burning sensation wasn't very pleasant. Luckily, I didn't swallow any, just got a good rinsing of in my mouth. You, however, stated you swalled some and I recommend you see a doctor immediately.
People who ingest even a little methanol should get to an emergency room immediately, experts say. The poison makes the blood acidic, but the process can be halted if treatment begins within a few hours of consuming the chemical (http://www.drkoop.com/news/stories/2001/feb/hs/08_methanol.html) Methanol, by itself is not dangerous, but the body breaks it down into other compounds that are dangerous, formic acid being the most dangerous.
Doses as low as 25 cc of 40% methanol have been reported as causing toxicity. In other cases doses up to 500 cc have occurred with no side effects. Most sources consider the minimal lethal dose to be around 100 cc (1 g/kg). Poisoning with methanol may be accidental or intentional. There have been epidemics of methanol toxicity in cases where illicit whiskey has been sold to large populations or when the less expensive methanol was substituted for ethanol in drinks.
Once methanol is absorbed it is rapidly distributed in the body water with peak blood levels occurring in about 30 to 90 minutes after exposure. If ethanol is not present 2-5% of the methanol is excreted unchanged by the kidneys and a small amount is eliminated by the lungs. At low blood levels the half-life of methanol is 2-3 hours.
The presentation within the first 1-2 hours may be similar to ethanol intoxication in that the patient may have drowsiness, vertigo, and uninhibited behavior. There is typically a delay of the toxic symptoms anywhere from six-30 hours and longer if ethanol has been co-ingested. In cases of methanol ingestion a lack of symptoms early on does not mean that the patient has not ingested a toxic amount of methanol
The good news (I'm being sarcastic) is that one treatment is the introduction via IV of ethanol (regular good old alcohol used to get drunk). Ethanol slows down the metabolization of methanol.
There are other options that are also used such as dialysis to eliminate the formic acid and other bad stuff that methanol breaks down into the body.
Good luck and please see a doc immediately if you think you consumed more than that above stated amounts of methanol.
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