Methanol

Classification

Flammable liquid Cat 2; Acute toxicity (oral) Cat 3; Acute toxicity (dermal) Cat 3; Acute toxicity (inhalation) Cat 3; STOT SE Cat 1

Hazard statements

• H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapor.
• H301 Toxic if swallowed.
• H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
• H331 Toxic if inhaled.
• H370 Causes damage to organs.

Key precautionary statements

• P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
• P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
• P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray.
• P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
• P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
• P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
• P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
• P308+P316 IF exposed or concerned: Get emergency medical help immediately.

NIOSH, ACGIH and Cal/OSHA give methanol a skin notation because it is absorbed through the skin, so airborne limits alone do not capture total exposure. The federal OSHA PEL has no short-term limit; NIOSH and ACGIH add a 250 ppm STEL. Cal/OSHA also sets a 250 ppm STEL and a 1000 ppm ceiling. ACGIH publishes a biological exposure index (BEI). State OSHA plans may set different limits.

• Appearance: Colorless liquid
• Odor: Characteristic, pungent
• Molecular weight: 32.1
• Boiling point: 147°F (64°C)
• Freezing point: -144°F (-98°C)
• Flash point: 52°F (11°C); Class IB flammable liquid
• Autoignition temperature: 867°F (464°C)
• Explosive limits: LEL 6.0%, UEL 36%
• Vapor pressure: 96 mmHg
• Specific gravity: 0.79
• Water solubility: Miscible

Inhalation

Toxic if inhaled. Irritates the eyes and upper respiratory tract and causes headache, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Can cause visual disturbances.

Skin

Toxic in contact with skin; methanol is absorbed through the skin and adds to total body dose. Can cause irritation and dermatitis.

Eyes

Causes eye irritation.

Ingestion

Toxic if swallowed. Can damage the optic nerve and cause blindness, and can be fatal. Symptoms may be delayed by 18 to 72 hours, so get medical care even if the person seems well.

Target organs

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract

Gloves

Butyl rubber (0.30 mm, breakthrough time over 480 minutes) for prolonged contact. Nitrile rubber (0.38 mm) for short-term contact only, per the Avantor (J.T. Baker) SDS.

Eyes and face

Safety glasses with side shields; chemical goggles and a face shield where splashing is likely. Provide an eyewash.

Respiratory

Use local exhaust ventilation. NIOSH lists only supplied-air respirators for methanol: supplied-air up to 6000 ppm, and a full-facepiece pressure-demand SCBA for emergencies or unknown levels. NIOSH does not list air-purifying cartridges for methanol.

Clothing

Prevent skin contact, because methanol is absorbed through the skin. Remove clothing promptly if it becomes wet (flammable), and wash skin when contaminated.

Store in tightly closed glass, steel or stainless steel containers in a cool, well-ventilated flammables area, away from heat, sparks, open flames and sunlight. Do not use aluminum, polyethylene or PVC containers.

Use in a fume hood or with local exhaust ventilation. Ground and bond containers and take precautions against static discharge. Do not eat, drink or smoke where methanol is used. Keep an eyewash nearby.

Keep away from

• Strong oxidizers
• Acids (supplier SDS)
• Alkali and alkaline earth metals, which react violently and release hydrogen (supplier SDS)

• Keep nonessential people away. Remove all ignition sources and ventilate the area.
• Wear protective equipment, including butyl rubber gloves and eye protection.
• Cover drains and keep the spill out of sewers and surface water.
• Absorb with a liquid-binding material such as sand or diatomaceous earth, and place in closed containers for disposal. Do not return spilled material to its original container.
• For transport incidents (UN1230), refer to ERG Guide 131.

Suitable extinguishing media

• Water spray (also to cool containers)
• Dry chemical (ABC powder)
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Do not use a full water jet

Special hazards

Highly flammable liquid. Vapors are heavier than air, travel along floors and can form explosive mixtures with air. Burning can release carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Firefighters should wear SCBA and chemical protective clothing.

• OSHA Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200): Hazardous chemical; SDS, labels and training required.
• OSHA Flammable Liquids (29 CFR 1910.106): Class IB flammable liquid.
• OSHA Air Contaminants (29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1): 200 ppm (260 mg/m³) TWA.
• EPA CERCLA (40 CFR 302.4): Hazardous substance, reportable quantity 5,000 lb.
• EPA EPCRA Section 313 (TRI) (40 CFR 372.65): Listed.
• EPA RCRA (40 CFR 261.33): Listed as U154 when discarded as a commercial chemical product.
• DOT (49 CFR 172.101): UN1230, Methanol, Class 3, PG II.

• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Methyl alcohol
• OSHA Occupational Chemical Database: Methyl alcohol
• PubChem: Methanol (CID 887)
• Avantor (J.T. Baker) SDS: Methanol
• 40 CFR 372.65, EPCRA 313 chemical list