Mass methanol poisonings in the Czech Republic

The article provides detailed information on the case of 2012-2013 Czech mass methanol poisoning caused by the consumption of spirits with methanol added during manufacture. The article compares basic characteristics of methanol and ethanol. It also gives toxicological properties of methanol and describes therapy of methanol afflicted patients with the medicinal product Fomepizole. Having provided an overview of the short-term remedies to the Czech 2012-2013 poisoning problems, the authors suggest long-term measures for prevention of possible future mass poisoning cases like legislative changes and extension of school education with courses on ethanol and methanol effects in human organism.