Severity of poisoning | Plasma ethanol level (per mil = per mille = g/l) | Performance capacity | Treatment |
---|---|---|---|
Mild | Usually less than 2 per mil | Capable of functioning | No need |
Moderately severe | 2-3 per mil | Clearly affected, cannot stand on his/her feet, keeps dozing off | Monitoring |
Severe | Usually > 3 per mil | Unconscious, cannot be awakened | Find out about abuse of any other illegal or legal drugs and any diseases or injuries that may cause impaired consciousness. If consciousness is severely impaired, the following should be provided in specialized care:
|
Alcohol | Examples of mixtures where these can be found | Toxic dose |
---|---|---|
Methanol | Windscreen washer fluid, carburettor cleaner, some paints, paint remover, varnish, lacquer and detergents, antifreeze agents Ordinary alcoholic drinks (bootleg liquor, drink spiking) | 0.4-1.2 mg/kg or 30-200 ml may be lethal. As little as 10 ml may cause blindness. May also be toxic on inhalation or skin exposure. |
Ethylene glycol | Antifreeze solutions, car radiator fluids, de-icers, brake fluids, ink-jet printer colours, for instance Its sweetness increases the risk of poisoning. | 30 ml has been found to be lethal for adults, 1 ml/kg for children. As little as 10 ml may cause severe poisoning. Low serum ethylene glycol levels do not exclude poisoning, and glycols cannot be detected by a breathalyser False blood lactate elevation in cassette-based analysis |
Diethylene glycol | Car radiator fluids, brake fluids, solvents, inks, medicinal and cosmetic products | Doses as low as 0.22 ml/kg have proved lethal. As little as one swig may cause severe poisoning. |