ABSTRACT
Methanol is used as an antifreeze, a paint remover, a solvent in shellac and varnish, in chemical synthesis, and as a denaturant in denatured alcohol. Toxicity is probably due to metabolism of methanol to formic acid or formaldehyde, and formaldehyde has been shown to have selective injurious effects on retinal cells. Ethanol is used as a solvent, an antiseptic, a chemical intermediate, and a beverage. For many commercial uses ethanol is denatured. The principal manifestation of ethanol poisoning is central nervous system depression. Ethylene glycol and its esters are distributed with body water, and some are metabolized to oxalic acid, which is thought to play a role in some of the toxic effects. Confinued exposure to the vapors from a process utilizing ethylene glycol is reported to induce unconsciousness, nystagmus, and lymphocytosis. The principal manifestation of acute isopropyl or n-propyl alcohol poisoning is central nervous system depression.
