Severe Visual Loss Caused by Inhalational Methanol Poisoning in Fireworks Production: A Report on 3 Cases

Abstract BACKGROUND Explosion injury is a common occupational injury with fireworks production. There are few reports about the relationship of severe visual loss and acute methanol poisoning in fireworks laborers. CASE SUMMARY Here we report 3 patients of visual loss caused by inhalation exposure to high concentration of methanol, who were engaged in the granulation process of fireworks manufacturing industry. They presented with severe metabolic acidosis and visual impairments, accompanied with headache, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness and vomiting. One patient developed bilateral blindness and two patients improved after timely hemodialysis treatment.CONCLUSION This case report emphasizes the risk of methanol poisoning in the fireworks industry or other factories using commercial alcohol. Early hemodialysis intervention and metabolic acidosis correction are crucial for rescuing visual impairment caused by methanol exposure. The awareness and supervision of commercial alcohol are indispensable for similar industrial manufactures.