Final answer:
The signs of methanol toxicity appear 6-30 hours post-ingestion due to the metabolic pathway of methanol in the body. Methanol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to form formaldehyde, which is then further metabolized to formic acid. The delay in the onset of symptoms is attributed to the time it takes for methanol to be metabolized into formic acid and for formic acid to accumulate to toxic levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs of methanol toxicity appear 6-30 hours post-ingestion due to the metabolic pathway of methanol in the body. Methanol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to form formaldehyde, which is then further metabolized to formic acid. The toxic effects of methanol are primarily due to the accumulation of formic acid in the body.
Formic acid has toxic effects on various organs, including the eyes, leading to optic nerve damage and blindness. The delay in the onset of symptoms is attributed to the time it takes for methanol to be metabolized into formic acid and for formic acid to accumulate to toxic levels. It is important to note that the metabolism of methanol can be influenced by the presence of ethanol, which competes with the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme and can slow down the production of formic acid.