The toxicity of inhaled methanol vapors

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Critical Reviews in Toxicology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3109/10408449009089872· OSTI ID:6244742

Kavet, R; Nauss, K M ^[1]

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1. Environmental Research Information, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (USA)

Methanol could become a major automotive fuel in the U.S., and its use may result in increased exposure of the public to methanol vapor. Nearly all of the available information on methanol toxicity in humans relates to the consequences of acute, rather than chronic, exposures. Acute methanol toxicity evolves in a well-understood pattern and consists of an uncompensated metabolic acidosis with superimposed toxicity to the visual system. The toxic properties of methanol are rooted in the factors that govern both the conversion of methanol to formic acid and the subsequent metabolism of formate to carbon dioxide in the folate pathway. In short, the toxic syndrome sets in if formate generation continues at a rate that exceeds its rate of metabolism. Current evidence indicates that formate accumulation will not challenge the metabolic capacity of the folate pathway at the anticipated levels of exposure to automotive methanol vapor.117 references.

• OSTI ID: 6244742
• Journal Information: Critical Reviews in Toxicology; (USA), Vol. 21:1; ISSN 1040-8444
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
METHANOL
TOXICITY
ACUTE EXPOSURE
AIR POLLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FORMIC ACID
INHALATION
MAN
METABOLISM
REVIEWS
ALCOHOLS
ANIMALS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DOCUMENT TYPES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INTAKE
MAMMALS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology