Advisory
2001-07
January 26, 2001
Health Canada issues advisory on potential poisoning hazard from ingestion of methyl hydrate
OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising Canadians about the potential danger of poisoning from the ingestion of methyl hydrate, a liquid used in gas-line antifreeze and windshield washer fluid. Methyl hydrate is also used as fuel for fondue sets.
Methyl hydrate is regulated under the Hazardous Products Act and poses a serious threat when ingested, especially to children. Without immediate medical treatment, methyl hydrate poisoning can lead to blindness or death. If you suspect someone has ingested methyl hydrate, contact your local poison control centre immediately. Possible signs that ingestion may have occurred include nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness or other alcohol-related signs.
Poison control centres across Canada have received numerous reports of incidents involving exposure to products containing methyl hydrate. More than 50% of these incidents involve children under five years old. These usually occur when a child finds a product containing methyl hydrate during play, is somehow able to open the container, and then drinks from its contents. Most adult incidents occur after the contents have been transferred from a properly labelled and packaged container to one that has no warnings.
Description
Methyl hydrate (also called methanol, methyl alcohol or wood alcohol) is a colourless liquid with a light alcoholic smell that sometimes has a colouring agent added to it. It helps prevent freeze-up during winter months.
Legal Requirements
By law, the containers of products containing methyl hydrate must have the "POISON" (skull and crossbones) hazard symbol, bilingual warning statements including the name of the hazardous ingredients, and first aid treatment statements. The containers must also be child-resistant.
General Safety Tips on Safe Use and Storage
Health Canada recommends the following tips to help reduce the risk of exposure to methyl hydrate, especially in households with children under five years old:
- Buy the product in an amount that is readily used up so that you don't have to store any excess product.
- Store the product out of sight and reach of children, and not in locations where children have easy access. An example of this is the back seat of cars.
- Always re-close the container according to the instruction on the bottle. Child-resistant does not mean child-proof.
- Never transfer the contents from a properly labelled and packaged container to another non-labelled container.
- Always read the warning label and follow the instructions, regardless of how familiar you are with the product.
For further information, consumers can contact the Health Canada Product Safety Office nearest them:
- Burnaby, BC
- Calgary, AB
- Edmonton, AB
- Saskatoon, SK
- Winnipeg, MB
- Hamilton, ON
- Toronto, ON
- Montréal, QC
- Longueuil, QC
- Québec, QC
- Moncton, NB
- Halifax, NS
- St. John's, NFLD
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Media inquiries:
Jeffrey Pender
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Public inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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