| Agent Name | Methyl alcohol |
|---|---|
| Alternative Name | Methanol |
| CAS Number | 67-56-1 |
| Formula | C-H4-O |
| Major Category | Solvents |
| Synonyms | Carbinol; Columbian spirits; Pyroligneous spirit; Wood alcohol; Wood naphtha; Wood spirit; Methanol; [NIOSH] UN1230 |
| Category | Alcohols (<C12) |
| Description | Colorless liquid with a characteristic pungent odor; [NIOSH] |
| Sources/Uses | Used as a solvent, alcohol denaturant, antifreeze, and chemical intermediate; [ACGIH] Naturally present in blood and urine and in fruits and vegetables; [CHEMINFO] Used in paint removers, windshield-washing solutions, and duplication fluids; [Olson, p. 278] |
| Comments | Methanol poisoning can cause blindness and death. The lethal oral dose in humans is 2 to 8 ounces. Most cases have occurred after ingestion. Methanol poisoning after inhalation or skin absorption in the workplace has been reported. [ACGIH] Symptoms of methanol poisoning include initial CNS depression and vomiting followed by metabolic acidosis and severe vision impairment 8-24 hours later. Coma, respiratory failure, and death may ensue. [CHEMINFO] In high-dose reproductive studies in animals, methyl alcohol causes testicular damage and birth defects. [Frazier, p. 179-80] Patients may present with inebriation and gastritis. There is a characteristic latency of 6-30 hours after exposure. Combined osmolar and anion gaps suggest poisoning by methanol or ethylene glycol, but also may occur in severe alcoholic ketoacidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis. [Olson, p. 33, 278] |
| Exposure Assessment | |
| BEI | Methanol in urine = 15 mg/L; sample at end of shift; |
| Skin Designation (ACGIH) | Yes |
| TLV (ACGIH) | 200 ppm |
| STEL (ACGIH) | 250 ppm |
| PEL (OSHA) | 200 ppm |
| MAK | 200 ppm |
| IDLH (NIOSH) | 6000 ppm |
| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs | Two human studies showed no effects at vapor concentrations ranging from 160 to 1,000 ppm [McAllister 1954; MDOH 1937]. It has been stated that it probably would be dangerous to be exposed to concentrations of the order of 30,000 to 50,000 ppm for as much as 30 to 60 minutes [Patty 1963]. |
| Vapor Pressure | 96 mm Hg |
| Odor Threshold Low | 4.2 ppm |
| Odor Threshold High | 5960 ppm |
| Lethal Concentration | LC50 (rat) = 64,000 ppm/4 hr |
| Explanatory Notes | Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 160 ppm); Flash point = 54 deg F; [CAMEO] |
| Flammability (NFPA) | |
| Adverse Effects | |
| Reproductive Toxin | Yes |
| Neurotoxin | Other CNS Neurotoxin |
| Links to Other NLM Databases | |
| Health Studies | Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: |
| Toxicity Information | |
| Chemical Information | |
| Biomedical References | |
| Related Information in HazMap | |
| Processes | Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: |
| Activities | Activities with risk of exposure: |
Agent Name
Methyl alcohol
Alternative Name
Methanol
CAS Number
67-56-1
Formula
C-H4-O
Major Category
Solvents
Synonyms
Carbinol; Columbian spirits; Pyroligneous spirit; Wood alcohol; Wood naphtha; Wood spirit; Methanol; [NIOSH] UN1230
Category
Alcohols (<C12)
Description
Colorless liquid with a characteristic pungent odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as a solvent, alcohol denaturant, antifreeze, and chemical intermediate; [ACGIH] Naturally present in blood and urine and in fruits and vegetables; [CHEMINFO] Used in paint removers, windshield-washing solutions, and duplication fluids; [Olson, p. 278]
Comments
Methanol poisoning can cause blindness and death. The lethal oral dose in humans is 2 to 8 ounces. Most cases have occurred after ingestion. Methanol poisoning after inhalation or skin absorption in the workplace has been reported. [ACGIH] Symptoms of methanol poisoning include initial CNS depression and vomiting followed by metabolic acidosis and severe vision impairment 8-24 hours later. Coma, respiratory failure, and death may ensue. [CHEMINFO] In high-dose reproductive studies in animals, methyl alcohol causes testicular damage and birth defects. [Frazier, p. 179-80] Patients may present with inebriation and gastritis. There is a characteristic latency of 6-30 hours after exposure. Combined osmolar and anion gaps suggest poisoning by methanol or ethylene glycol, but also may occur in severe alcoholic ketoacidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis. [Olson, p. 33, 278]
Exposure Assessment
BEI
Methanol in urine = 15 mg/L; sample at end of shift;
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
200 ppm
STEL (ACGIH)
250 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
200 ppm
MAK
200 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
6000 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Two human studies showed no effects at vapor concentrations ranging from 160 to 1,000 ppm [McAllister 1954; MDOH 1937]. It has been stated that it probably would be dangerous to be exposed to concentrations of the order of 30,000 to 50,000 ppm for as much as 30 to 60 minutes [Patty 1963].
Vapor Pressure
96 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
4.2 ppm
Odor Threshold High
5960 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 64,000 ppm/4 hr
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 160 ppm); Flash point = 54 deg F; [CAMEO]
Flammability (NFPA)
Adverse Effects
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
Neurotoxin
Other CNS Neurotoxin
Links to Other NLM Databases
Toxicity Information
Chemical Information
Biomedical References
Related Information in HazMap
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: