Several hospitalized with methanol poisoning in Southern Norway – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country

Several people were admitted to Sørlandet hospital on Sunday evening with methanol poisoning. – Methanol poisoning is potentially fatal. Those who develop symptoms must contact a doctor as soon as possible, says specialist director Susanne Hernes at the NTB hospital. Those admitted come from the Lindesnes region, Sørlandet Hospital informs NTB in an e-mail late on Sunday. Hernes informs news that the persons were in varying degrees of condition – from seriously ill to mildly ill. – Methanol poisoning is a poisoning that we are very observant about, states Hernes. Symptoms of methanol poisoning Symptoms: Weakness, headache, confusion and dizziness Vision disturbances, blurred vision and blind spots in the field of vision, can cause permanent visual damage in severe poisoning Rapid breathing and shortness of breath In severe poisoning: Coma Convulsions Respiratory arrest Cardiac arrest Death Source: Health Norway’s poison information Assessing investigation Police have received general information from the hospital and are considering starting an investigation into the case, they inform news. The hospital wishes to obtain information that there may be methanol in circulation in the Lindesnes region and possibly in other areas in or outside Southern Norway. It can take 10 to 30 hours before you get serious symptoms Methanol can be found in “smuggler’s alcohol”. – Methanol in beverages can be very, very difficult to detect, says the subject director to news. It is difficult to distinguish between ethanol (common alcohol) and methanol, without using chemical analysis methods. In many cases it is a matter of mixtures of ethanol and methanol. This makes it even more difficult to determine the content of methanol, according to Helse Norge. It can take time before serious symptoms appear, they further state. Methanol is broken down into formic acid in the body, and it is this breakdown product that leads to the serious poisoning symptoms. Only after 10 to 30 hours will enough formic acid be formed to cause symptoms.



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