Investigating the Factors Having the Important Role in the Standardization of Herbal Distillates’ Methanol Content

Blurred vision leading to nervous blindness is the only symptom of chronic methanol intoxication that occurs following prolonged drinking some kinds of herbal distillates and has been motivated serious anxieties. The methanol content of these products is not usually measured which may be due to the lack of applicable standards in this regard. In this study, the methanol concentrations of some kinds of herbal distillates were quantified by two different methods to define the most effective factors in the determination of methanol permitted dose of these products. In this study, the methanol contents of 60 different samples were examined by a newly designed kit and Gas Chromatography methods, and finally, based on gained results some recommendations were presented about how standardization of herbal distillates’ methanol content. All samples have different concentrations of methanol that in some cases, their methanol content seems enough for the creation of chronic methanol intoxication. Also, access to an appropriate and efficient national standard for controlling of methanol content of herbal distillates seems to be necessary.

Unilateral Visual loss Due to Methanol Intoxication: A Case Report

A 45-year-old man with bilateral blurred vision referred to toxicology department, after treatment he suffered from vision loss in left eye while his right eye was intact. Visual impairment due to methanol poisoning usually occurs bilaterally, but in our case was interestingly unilateral.