Methanol

What is it?
Methyl alcohol, or methanol, is widely used in industry: in the paint industry as a solvent and thinner, and in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries in synthesis processes. It is also present, as an unwanted substance, in distilled spirits. Methanol poisoning causes acidosis and eye and nerve damage. Untreated acute poisoning can be fatal.
Methyl alcohol is normally present in urine because small amounts are also absorbed from the diet. One of its metabolites is formic acid.
After absorption, methyl alcohol is present in the blood and is also eliminated unchanged in the urine, so it can be measured in the biological monitoring of occupational exposure. It should be remembered that the amount due to occupational exposure adds to the amount produced by the body, raising the normal values.

Clinical indications:
Occupational exposure to methyl alcohol.

Sample type:
The patient must provide a blood or urine sample

Preparation:
Fasting is not required