Impulsive differential equation model in methanol poisoning detoxification: Efficacy of activated charcoal antidote in combating methanol poisoning

This paper introduces an impulsive differential equation model useful in exploring the efficacy of activated charcoal in detoxifying a body suffering from methanol poisoning. Every year many individuals die due to methanol poisoning, mainly in the low income classes of the society. Among them, a large number of people die even before initial treatment. This work can provide a better knowledge on simple and inexpensive first aid to those affected individuals by administration of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal can be used as a universal antidote for many poisons because of its adsorbing ability. By using impulsive differential equations, we have studied the adsorption capacity of activated charcoal. Analytically we have shown the non-negativity, boundedness of the enzyme-methanol reaction model and emphasized on the formulation of absorption function for activated charcoal. The results obtained from analytical as well as numerical study give a basic idea of first aid within the general public and primary health centers, which can reduce the deaths caused by methanol poisoning in the long run.