Methanol (CH3OH)
Quick Reference
What is CH3OH?
An alcohol commonly used in industry as a reagent. Used in the pulp and paper industry to synthesize ClO2. Transported in large quantities by rail, also found in automotive antifreezes and coolants. No vapor hazard at room temperature, but if heated vapours are produced. Highly flammable, notably flames are not visible thus pose a hazard to responders. Toxic if ingested, inhalational and dermal absorption possible.
Crew Safety
- Staging/Perimeter
- Spill: 50 m
- Large tank involved in a fire: 800 m
- Ingestion: No staging/perimeter
- Additional Resources
- If large spill present or rescue required: fire department or onsite industrial response team.
- PPE requirements
- Rescue: SCBA with chemical protective clothing (no fire risk) or firefighters thermal protective clothing (fire risk). BCEHS personnel not to rescue.
- After extrication: Nitrile gloves, gown, and face shield.
- Ingestion: Contact/Splash Precautions
- Safely initiating patient contact
- Significant exposure: Patient to be decontaminated and brought to crew a safe distance from the spill. Paramedics may coach decontamination while standing back.
- Small exposure or ingestion: Contact/splash precautions are sufficient
Effect on the Patient
Patients initially present similar to ethanol intoxication, however, following absorption/ingestion methanol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) into the toxic metabolites formate and formic acid. Metabolites cause retinal injury leading to permanent blindness as well as ischemic and hemorrhagic damage to the basal ganglia. Also cause profound metabolic acidosis.
Patient Decontamination
Remove from source of exposure to prevent further absorption. Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with soap and water.
Patient Treatment
* Mainstay of treatment is administration of fomepizole (preferred) or ethanol in hospital. These compete for available ADH which stops methanol from being metabolized into toxic metabolites.
* Hemodialysis may also be used in-hospital.
Safe Transfer of Care
If patient has been decontaminated only contact precautions are needed. Splash precautions if ingested.
Paramedic and Equipment Decontamination
No special decontamination required.
Quick Access Resources
DPIC Monograph
Paramedic Specialist Safety Data Sheet
Emergency Response Guidebook
Revision History
| Version | Date | Changes | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2026-05-01 | Initial version | Clinical Hub |