Methanol

Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 132 [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Use water spray, powder, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

- Methanol is highly flammable.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Rinse contaminated clothes (fire hazard) with plenty of water. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Do NOT induce vomiting. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer immediately for medical attention.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 132 [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

General First Aid:

General First Aid:

(General first aid procedures)

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Methanol in urine = 15 mg/L; sample at end of shift;

100.0 [ppm]

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. Cool all containers with flooding quantities or water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use "alcohol" foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.

When large amounts of methanol are stored in enclosed 14 Methanol spaces, monitoring by means of lower explosion limit monitors is desirable.

Permanently installed fire-extinguishing equipment should be provided in large storage facilities. Water cannons are generally installed in storage tank farms to cool steel constructions and neighboring tanks in the event of fire. Large tanks should have permanently installed piping systems for alcohol-resistant fire-extinguishing foams.

Small-Scale Storage. Small amounts (</= 10 L) of methanol for laboratory and industrial use are stored in glass bottles or sheet-metal cans; amounts up to 200 L are stored and transported in steel drums. Some plastic bottles and containers cannot be used because of their permeability and the danger of dissolution of plasticizers. High-density polyethylene and polypropylene are suitable, whereas poly(vinyl chloride) and polyamides are unsuitable.

For more Storage Conditions (Complete) data for Methanol (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Wear respiratory protection. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Remove all sources of ignition. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Beware of vapors accumulating to form explosive concentrations. Vapors can accumulate in low areas. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Contain spillage, and then collect with an electrically protected vacuum cleaner or by wet-brushing and place in container for disposal according to local regulations.

General Spill Actions: Stop or reduce discharge of material if this can be done without risk. Eliminate all sources of ignition. Avoid skin contact and inhalation. A fluorocarbon water foam can be applied to the spill to diminish vapor and fire hazard. Hycar and carbopol, which are absorbent materials, have shown possible applicability for vapor suppression and/or containment of methanol in spill situations. Leaking containers should be removed to the outdoors or to an isolated, well-ventilated area and the contents transferred to other suitable containers. The following materials are recommended for plugging leaks of methanol: polyester (eg Glad bag), imid polyester (eg brown-in-bag), stafoam urethane foam, sea-going epoxy putty, and MSA urethane.

Spills on Land: Contain if possible by forming mechanical or chemical barriers to prevent spreading. Absorb on sand, vermiculite or other absorbent and shovel into metal containers for disposal. Application of universal gelling agent to immobilize the spill, or the use of fly ash or cement powder to absorb the liquid bulk should also be considered. Other recommended sorbent materials are activated carbon and a universal sorbent material.

Spills in Water: After containment, a universal gelling agent can be injected to solidify trapped mass to increase the effectiveness of berms. Activated carbon can be applied at 10% the spilled amount over region occupied by 10 mg/L or greater concentrations. Then use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants.

For more Cleanup Methods (Complete) data for Methanol (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 132 [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U154 and F003, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Product: Burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber but exert extra care in igniting as this material is highly flammable. Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

Disposal: Waste methanol must never be discharged directly into sewers or surface waters. Large quantities of waste methanol can either be disposed of at licensed waste solvent disposal company or reclaimed by filtration and distillation. It can also be incinerated.

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for Methanol (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Methanol was detected in 1 of 12 samples of human milk collected from volunteers in 4 USA cities(1). Methanol has been detected in expired human air(2-4); in one study, it was detected in 3.6% of 387 expired air samples collected from 54 volunteers at a geometric mean concentration of 0.549 ng/L(4).

A survey was conducted in the second half of a work week on 39 male workers who were occupationally exposed to styrene in combination with methanol and methyl acetate during the production of plastic buttons. Time-weighted average exposure during an 8-h shift to styrene (Sty-A) and methyl acetate was monitored by carbon cloth-equipped personal samplers and to methanol by water-equipped ones. Urine samples were collected near the end of the shift and analyzed for mandelic (MA-U) and phenylglyoxylic acids (PhGA-U) by HPLC. Geometric mean styrene concentration was 12.4 ppm (micrograms/g) with the maximum of 46 ppm, whereas the values for methanol and methyl acetate in combination were 23.5 ppm and 229 ppm, respectively. The relationship of MA-U and PhGA-U with Sty-A was examined by linear regression analysis. The equations for the regression lines were compared with the results from a previous survey (Ikeda et al. 1983) in which workers were exposed only to styrene, and the methods employed were identical with that in the present study. The comparison showed no evidence to suggest that styrene metabolism is suppressed by coexposure to methanol and methyl acetate at low concentrations below the current occupational exposure limit of 200 ppm.

Low-level inhalation exposures to methanol cause small increases in blood and urine formate levels. A study was conducted of 20 workers in a printing office who were exposed to an estimated methanol concentration between 111 and 174 mg/cu m throughout the work day. During the day, the blood level of formate increased an average of 4.7 mg/L (3.2 mg/L before the work shift to 7.9 mg/L when work ended), and urinary formate increased an average of 7.1 mg/L. A control group maintained relatively stable levels throughout the day of 5.3 mg/L of blood and 11.8 mg/L of urine.

... Twenty workers were exposed throughout the day to 120 mg/cu m of methanol. At the end of the day, blood and urine levels of methanol were 8.9 and 21.8 mg/L, respectively; a control group had a mean blood and urine level of <0.6 and 1.1 mg/L, respectively. Urinary formic acid was significantly higher in the workers (29.9 mg/L) than in the controls (12.7 mg/L).

A fatal case involving a 41-yr-old man who had ingested a large quantity of methanol disclosed a broad distribution of methanol in postmortem tissues and fluids. The highest content of methanol was found in the kidney (5.13 g/kg) followed by the liver (4.18 g/kg), vitreous humor (3.9 g/L), heart (3.45 g/kg), urine (3.43 g/L), pericardial fluid (3.29 g/L), blood (2.84 g/L) and stomach contents (2.21 g/L).

Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in overdose, while ethanol is a readily available and effective antidote. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of methanol in the presence of ethanol and vice versa. This paper explores the influence of methanol and ethanol on the pharmacokinetics of each other along with the effect of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHD) on alcohol removal. Multiple plasma, urine and dialysate samples were collected from a 42-year-old male who ingested 166 g of methanol. Methanol and ethanol concentrations in both plasma and urine were assayed and the concentration-time data were modelled using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling software NONMEM VI. Simulations were performed using the final model parameters in MATLAB software where a variety of initial doses and ethanol infusions were assessed. The final model included a competitive metabolic interaction between methanol and ethanol as well as first-order elimination due to renal, CVVHD and an additional non-renal non-CVVHD mechanism. Simulations from the model show a loading dose of 28.4 g/70 kg of ethanol results in a target plasma concentration of 1 g/L. Due to the competitive interaction between methanol and ethanol, higher amounts of methanol require lower maintenance doses of ethanol but for longer. CVVHD was shown to increase the dose rate of ethanol required but to decrease the duration of the maintenance phase. ...

The drug 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP; fomepizole) is a competitive ADH inhibitor and an effective antidote for methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. The concentration at which 4-MP inhibits 50% of ADH is 0.1 umol/L. The drug is used iv and orally and is eliminated by Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

... Ranitidine /was tested/ as an antidote for methanol acute toxicity and compared with ethanol and 4-methyl pyrazole (4-MP). This study was conducted on 48 Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into 6 groups, with 8 rats in each group (one negative control group [C1], two positive control groups [C2, C3] and three test groups [1, 2 and 3]). C2, C3 and all test groups were exposed to nitrous oxide by inhalation, then, C3 group was given methanol (3 g/kg orally). The three test groups 1, 2 and 3 were given ethanol (0.5 g/kg orally), 4-MP (15 mg/kg intraperitoneally) and ranitidine (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally), respectively, 4 hr after giving methanol. Rats were sacrificed and heparinized, cardiac blood samples were collected for blood pH and bicarbonate. Non-heparinized blood samples were collected for formate levels by high performance liquid chromatography. Eye balls were enucleated for histological examination of the retina. Ranitidine corrected metabolic acidosis (p = 0.025), decreased formate levels (p = 0.014) and improved the histological findings in the retina induced by acute methanol toxicity.

... The effect of lycopene on methanol-induced liver injury /was evaluated/ and ... the results /compared/ with those after fomepizole, which is used in treatment of methanol intoxication. Experiments were carried out with 30 female Wistar rats weighting 180-200 g. Rats were injected with an ip dose of 3 g/kg methanol as a 50% solution in isotonic saline once for intoxication. Rats were pretreated with fomepizole (50 mg/kg) and/or lycopene (10 mg/kg) before methanol. After 24 hr all the drug-treated and intoxicated rats were sacrificed under anesthesia. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in order to assess lipid peroxidation, and caspase-3 activity was determined by immunostaining of liver tissues to evaluate apoptosis. Methanol administration significantly increased the MDA level and caspase-3 activity in liver. Pretreatment with lycopene and/or fomepizole decreased the MDA levels significantly. Similarly, lycopene and fomepizole decreased methanol-induced caspase-3 activity. The findings of the present study demonstrate that methanol intoxication causes hepatic toxicity in rats and that this is likely a result of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis induction. Lycopene has protective effects against methanol-induced hepatic injury similar to fomepizole. It was demonstrated for the first time that both lycopene and fomepizole prevent methanol-induced hepatic injury by reducing the increase of lipid oxidation and caspase-3 activation.

Developmental

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

Acute methanol poisoning in humans is characterized by an asymptomatic period of 12h to 24h followed by formic acidemia, ocular toxicity, coma, and in extreme cases death. Visual disturbances develop between 18h to 48h after ingestion and range from mild photophobia and blurred vision to markedly reduced visual acuity and complete blindness. (T10)

EC50; Species: Chlorella fusca ssp. vacuolata (Green Algae) strain 21115; Conditions: freshwater, static, 28 °C, pH 6.9; Concentration: 0.77 umol/L for 24 hr; Effect: decreased population growth rate /100% purity/

EC50; Species: Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Green Algae) 65000-78000 cells/mL; Conditions: static, 25 °C; Concentration: 3.6 umol/L for 24 hr (95% confidence interval: 3.46-3.74 ug/L; Effect: general growth

EC50; Species: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Green Algae) 15000 cells/mL; Conditions: freshwater, static, 24 °C; Concentration: 3010 ug/L for 48 hr (95% confidence interval: 1910-5570 ug/L); Effect: physiology photosynthesis /99% purity formulation/

EC50; Species: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Green Algae) 15000 cells/mL; Conditions: freshwater, static, 24 °C; Concentration: >60400 ug/L for 48 hr; Effect: population growth rate /99% purity formulation/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for Methanol (48 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a measured Koc value of 2.75(2) indicates that methanol is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of methanol from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 4.55X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(3). Methanol is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 127 mm Hg(4). Biodegradation half-lives of 1 and 3.2 days measured in a sandy silt loam and sandy loam from Texas and Mississippi, respectively(5), suggest that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a measured Koc value of 2.75(2) indicates that methanol is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 4.55X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 4.6 and 35 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), a BCF of <10 measured in fish(6) suggests that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Methanol lacks functional groups that hydrolyze or absorb light under environmentally relevant conditions(3), therefore hydrolysis and photolysis are not expected to be important environmental fate processes(SRC). Methanol has been shown to undergo rapid biodegradation in a variety of screening studies using sewage seed and activated sludge inoculum(7-10), which suggests that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in water(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), methanol, which has a vapor pressure of 127 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase methanol is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 17 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 9.0X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). The major degradation product from reaction with hydroxyl radicals is formaldehyde(4).

Methanol has been identified as a volatile component of dried legumes (concentration 1.5-7.9 ppm), baked potatoes, and roasted filbert nuts(1-3). Methanol was identified, not quantified, in the volatile flavor components of fresh grapefruit(4). Methanol was detected at levels of 7-126 ppm in fresh squeezed orange juice(5).

Some distilled fruit spirits contain, normally, high quantities of methanol. ...

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Methanol can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact. Ingestion is an important route of exposure.

Oral (T10)

Based on the data presented in this safety assessment, the CIR Expert Panel concludes that Methyl Alcohol is safe as used to denature alcohol used in cosmetic products.

Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Methanol is a clear colorless liquid, used in hydraulic fracturing mixtures. It is also used as dehydrator of natural gas; fuel for utility plants (methyl fuel); feedstock for manufacture of synthetic proteins by continuous fermentation; source of hydrogen for fuel cells, home-heating-oil extender. HUMAN STUDIES: Humans (and non-human primates) are uniquely sensitive to methanol poisoning. Nearly all of the available information on methanol toxicity in humans relates to the consequences of acute rather than chronic exposures. A vast majority of poisonings involving methanol have occurred from drinking adulterated beverages and from methanol-containing products. The minimum lethal dose of methanol in the absence of medical treatment is between 0.3 and 1 g/kg. Wide interindividual variability of the toxic dose is a prominent feature in acute methanol poisoning. Two important determinants of human susceptibility to methanol toxicity appear to be (1) concurrent ingestion of ethanol, which slows the entrance of methanol into the metabolic pathway, and (2) hepatic folate status, which governs the rate of formate detoxification. The symptoms and signs of methanol poisoning, which may not appear until after an asymptomatic period include visual disturbances, nausea, abdominal and muscle pain, dizziness, weakness and disturbances of consciousness ranging from coma to clonic seizures. Visual disturbances range from mild photophobia and misty or blurred vision to markedly reduced visual acuity and complete blindness. In extreme cases death results. The principal clinical feature is severe metabolic acidosis of the anion-gap type. ANIMAL STUDIES: The rate of metabolic detoxification, or removal of formate is vastly different between rodents and primates and is the basis for the dramatic differences in methanol toxicity observed between rodents and primates. The acute and short term toxicity of methanol varies greatly between different species, toxicity being highest in species with a relatively poor ability to metabolize formate. In such cases of poor metabolism of formate, fatal methanol poisoning occurs as a result of metabolic acidosis and neuronal toxicity, whereas, in animals that readily metabolize formate, consequences of CNS depression (coma, respiratory failure) are usually the cause of death. Overall methanol has a low acute toxicity to non-primate animals. In the rabbit, methanol is a moderate irritant to the eye. It was not skin sensitizing. The association between methanol exposure and lymphoma in some animal studies is weak, and is better interpreted as due to confounding factors or to a mechanism not relevant in humans. The inhalation of methanol by pregnant rodents throughout the period of embryogenesis induces a wide range of concentration-dependent teratogenic and embryolethal effects. Treatment-related malformations, primarily extra or rudimentary cervical ribs and urinary or cardiovascular defects, were found in fetuses of rats. Increased incidences of exencephaly and cleft palate were found in the offspring of mice. No increase in micronuclei was observed in the bone marrow of mice exposed to methanol. Methanol did not induce micronuclei in Chinese hamster lung V79 cells in vitro. Methanol was mutagenic in the mouse lymphoma assay, in a Basc test, or in Drosophila, sex-linked, recessive lethal mutation assay. Treatment of primary cultures of Syrian golden hamster embryo cells with methanol did not lead to cell transformation. Methanol was not mutagenic to Salmonella strains TA97, TA98, TA1535, TA 1537, and TA1538 in Ames tests with or without metabolic activation. Equivocal results were obtained with Salmonella strain TA102 in the presence of metabolic activation. Methanol was not mutagenic in a DNA-repair test using various strains of E. coli WP2 and in a forward mutation assay using Schizosaccharomyces pombe. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: Methanol is of low toxicity to aquatic organisms, and effects due to environmental exposure to methanol are unlikely to be observed, except in the case of a spill.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ At 40,000-80,000 mg/L, methanol killed Chironomus dorsalis meig larvae within 2 days; 500-20,000 mg/L within 26 days. 50-200 mg/L delayed imago emergence; at emergence, limb defects or hemorrhages were observed. 250 mg/L cause morphological changes in larval development.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ ... The mussel, Mytilus edulis, /was exposed/ to methanol concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10% (v/v) for 96 hr. All the mussels in both the 5 and 10% exposure groups died within 13.5 hr. Sublethal narcotic effects such as slow movement and sporadic filter feeding were reported in mussels exposed to 2 and 3%. Mussels exposed to 1% methanol exhibited no adverse effects during the 96-hr exposure period.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ The effect of methanol on the fertilization of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) ova was examined at methanol exposure levels of 0.001% to 10% by volume (7.9 to 79,000 mg/L). Both gametes (sperm and unfertilized ova) and fertilized eggs were exposed to methanol for brief periods. Exposures up to and including 1% methanol did not significantly affect fertilization, survival to hatching, hatching time, alevin size at hatch or physical deformities among alevins, although a methanol concentration of 10% was lethal in most cases.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Ninety-six-hour acute toxicity tests revealed cladoceran crustacea Moina micrura as the most sensitive to methanol (LC50, 4.82 g/L), followed by freshwater teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (LC50, 15.32 g/L) and oligochaete worm Branchiura sowerbyi (LC50, 54.89 g/L). The fish, when exposed to lethal concentrations of methanol, showed difficulties in respiration and swimming. The oligochaete body wrinkled and fragmented under lethal exposure of methanol. Effects of five sublethal concentrations of methanol (0, 23.75, 47.49, 736.10, and 1527.60 mg/L) on the feeding rate of the fish and on its growth and reproduction were evaluated by separate bioassays. Ninety-six-hour bioassays in the laboratory showed significant reduction in the appetite of fish when exposed to 736.10 mg/L or higher concentrations of methanol. Chronic toxicity bioassays (90 days) in outdoor enclosures showed a reduction in growth, maturity index and fecundity of fish at 47.49 mg/L or higher concentrations of methanol. Primary productivity, phytoplankton population, and alkalinity of water were also reduced at these concentrations. Chronic exposure to 1527.60 mg/L methanol resulted in damages of the epithelium of primary and secondary gill lamellae of the fish. The results revealed 23.75 mg/L as the no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) of methanol to freshwater aquatic ecosystem.

For more Ecotoxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for Methanol (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Methyl alcohol is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.

Methyl alcohol may be present in the following foods under the conditions specified: (a) In spice oleoresins as a residue from the extraction of spice, at a level not to exceed 50 parts per million. (b) In hops extract as a residue from the extraction of hops, at a level not to exceed 2.2 percent by weight; Provided, That: (1) The hops extract is added to the wort before or during cooking in the manufacture of beer. (2) The label of the hops extract specifies the presence of methyl alcohol and provides for the use of the hops extract only as prescribed by paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

U154; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when methanol, as a commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical intermediate, becomes a waste, it must be managed according to Federal and/or State hazardous waste regulations. Also defined as a hazardous waste is any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this waste. Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5).

F003; When methanol is a spent solvent, it is classified as a hazardous waste from a nonspecific source (F003), as stated in 40 CFR 261.31, and must be managed according to State and/or Federal hazardous waste regulations.

Residues of methyl alcohol are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest. Use: solvent.

Residues of methyl alcohol are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only. Use: synergist.

Residues of methyl alcohol are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to animals. Use: solvent, cosolvent.

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their continued use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines newer health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether the use of the pesticide does not pose unreasonable risk in accordance to newer saftey standards, such as those described in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA '88 were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List C, and with List C containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List D. Methyl alcohol is found on List D. Case No: 4003; Pesticide type: insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, antimicrobial; Case Status: RED Approved 3/95; OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document .; Active ingredient (AI): methyl alcohol; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered products. Thus, we characterize it as "cancelled."

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Methanol is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.

Listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, directs EPA to set standards requiring major sources to sharply reduce routine emissions of toxic pollutants. EPA is required to establish and phase in specific performance based standards for all air emission sources that emit one or more of the listed pollutants. Methanol is included on this list.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 5000 lb or 2270 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

(FL) FLORIDA 5,000 ug/L

(MN) MINNESOTA 3000 ug/L

(NH) NEW HAMPSHIRE 4,000 ug/L

(WI) WISCONSIN 5000 ug/L

CIR ingredient: Methyl Alcohol

Methanol is primarily used as an industrial solvent for inks, resins, adhesives, and dyes. It is also used as a solvent in the manufacture of cholesterol, streptomycin, vitamins, hormones, and other pharmaceuticals. Methanol is also used as an antifreeze for automotive radiators, an ingredient of gasoline (as an antifreezing agent and octane booster), and as fuel for picnic stoves. Methanol is also an ingredient in paint and varnish removers. Methanol is also used as an alternative motor fuel.

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. 314]

Semiconductor Manufacturing [Category: Industry]

Sculpturing plastics [Category: Hobbies]

Both oil base and water base fracturing fluids are being used in the fracturing industry. Water base, which includes alcohol-water mixtures and low strength acids, make up the majority of treating fluids. The common chemicals added to these fluids are polymers for viscosity development, crosslinkers for viscosity enhancement, pH control chemicals, gel breakers for polymer degradation following the treatment, surfactants, clay stabilizers, alcohol, bactericides, fluid loss additives and friction reducer. /Hydraulic fracturing/

(1984) 1.95X10+10 g

(1987) 1.2X10+6 gal

32 million gallons in 2000, 52 million gallons in 2001

(1983) 6.74X10+7 g

(1984) 5.13X10+8 g

17.72X10+6 gal /For producing synthetic natural gas (SNG) or for use as fuel/

3.59X10+8 gal /NSPF/

1.421 billion gallons in 2000, 1.816 billion gallons in 2001

2023: 20,000,000,000 - <25,000,000,000 lb

(1984) 3.72X10+12 g

5.00X10+9 lb /Synthetic/

(1990) 8.35 billion lb

(1991) 8.71 billion lb

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for Methanol (16 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

39% FOR FORMALDEHYDE; 12% EXPORTED; 8% FOR SOLVENT USAGE; 6% FOR DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE; 6% FOR METHYL HALIDES; 4% FOR METHYL METHACRYLATE; 3% FOR ACETIC ACID; 3% FOR METHYLAMINES; 1% FOR FORMALDEHYDE INHIBITOR; 17% MISC (1973)

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Methanol. Formaldehyde, 27%; MTBE /methyl tert-butyl ether/, 25%; acetic acid, 11%; chloromethanes, 7%; solvents, 8%; methyl halides, 4%; methyl methacrylates, 4%; methylamines, 3%; methylene chloride, 2%; utility power, 1%; miscellaneous and exports, 2%.

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Methanol. Demand: 1985: 1.29 billion gallons; 1986: 1.35 billion gallons; 1990 /projected/: 1.6 billion gallons.

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Methanol. Formaldehyde, 27%; MTBE /methyl tert-butyl ether/, 26%; acetic acid, 11%; chloromethanes, 7%; solvents, 7%; methyl halides, 4%; methylmethacrylates, 4%; methylamines, 3%; methylene chloride, 2%; miscellaneous and exports, 9%.

For more Consumption Patterns (Complete) data for Methanol (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Methanol is currently produced on an industrial scale exclusively by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas according to the principles of the low-pressure (LP) methanol process (5-10 MPa). The main advantages of the low-pressure processes are lower investment and production costs, improved operational reliability, and greater flexibility in the choice of plant size.

All commercial methanol processes employ a synthesis loop. ... This configuration overcomes equilibrium conversion limitations at typical catalyst operating conditions. ... A recycle system that gives high overall conversions is feasible because product methanol and water can be removed from the loop by condensation. The makeup synthesis gas is compressed, mixed with recycled gas, and preheated against the converter effluent gas before entering the converter. The converter effluent is first used to heat the saturator water or boiler feedwater before being returned to the loop interchanger and then on to a cooler, which condenses the crude methanol-water mixture. Noncondensable gases are disengaged in a catchpot for recycle. A purge is taken from this recycle to remove excess hydrogen, methane, and other inerts. The crude methanol mixture is sent forward to the distillation section for the final purification.

By high-pressure catalytic synthesis from carbon monoxide and hydrogen; partial oxidation of natural gas hydrocarbons; several processes for making methanol by gasification of wood, peat, and lignite have been developed but have not yet proved out commercially; from methane with molybdenum catalyst (experimental).

Methanol for Laboratory Use. Methanol is available commercially in various purity grades for fine chemicals: 1. "Purum" quality (>99.0%). This quality corresponds to commercial grade AA methanol. Methanol with this specification typically has a purity of = 99.85%. 2. "Puriss. p.a." quality (>99.8%). This methanol has a certified analytical quality with specifications in terms of water content and evaporation residues. 3. Highest purity, e.g., CHROMASOLV Methanol (= 99.9%). This methanol is extremely pure and can be used for spectroscopic or semiconductor applications.

Commercial Methanol. In addition to laboratory grades, commercial methanol is generally classified according to ASTM purity grades A, AA, and IMPCA specification.

Federal specifications for pure methanol in the United States:[Table#274]

Grade: Technical, CP (99.85%), electronic (used to clean and dry components), fuel.

In addition to laboratory grades, commercial methanol is generally classified according to ASTM purity grades A, AA, and IMPCA specification.

Cosmetics product ingredient: Methanol (Methyl alcohol)

Information on 312 consumer products that contain Methanol in the following categories is provided:

Food Additives -> EXTRACTION_SOLVENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Food Additives -> EXTRACTION_SOLVENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Cosmetics -> Denaturant; Solvent

SOLVENTS