What Is Methanol Poisoning?
Methanol is a toxic alcohol used industrially as a solvent, pesticide and alternative fuel source, and it also occurs naturally in humans, animals and plants, according to NIOSH. It says methanol’s toxicity comes from its metabolic products, which cause an accumulation of acid in the blood, blindness and death, and that the initial effects include drowsiness, a reduced level of consciousness, confusion, headache, dizziness and an inability to coordinate muscle movement.
The FDA says substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. In July 2020 it warned consumers and health care providers of a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products labeled to contain ethanol that tested positive for methanol contamination.
A CDC report found that from May 1 through June 30, 2020, 15 cases of methanol poisoning associated with swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers were reported in Arizona and New Mexico, and that four of those patients died and three were discharged with visual impairment.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceNIOSH describes methanol as a toxic alcohol used industrially as a solvent, pesticide and alternative fuel source, which also occurs naturally in humans, animals and plants. NIOSH, CDC ↗
- Government sourceNIOSH says methanol’s metabolic by-products cause acid accumulation in the blood, blindness and death, and that initial effects include drowsiness, reduced consciousness, confusion, headache, dizziness and loss of muscle coordination. NIOSH, CDC ↗
- Government sourceOn July 2, 2020 the FDA warned of a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products labeled to contain ethanol that tested positive for methanol contamination. US FDA ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA says substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent nervous system damage or death. US FDA ↗
- StudyA CDC report found that from May 1 through June 30, 2020, 15 cases of methanol poisoning linked to swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers were reported in Arizona and New Mexico, and four patients died. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.