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Chemical Datasheet
METHANOL |
|
Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 67-56-1
|
|
- Flammable Liquid
- Poison (international)
|
|
NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Methyl alcohol
|
|
NFPA 704
General Description
A colorless fairly volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odor like that of ethyl alcohol. Completely mixes with water. The vapors are slightly heavier than air and may travel some distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Any accumulation of vapors in confined spaces, such as buildings or sewers, may explode if ignited. Used to make chemicals, to remove water from automotive and aviation fuels, as a solvent for paints and plastics, and as an ingredient in a wide variety of products.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Soluble in water in all proportions.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Exposure to excessive vapor causes eye irritation, head- ache, fatigue and drowsiness. High concentrations can produce central nervous system depression and optic nerve damage. 50,000 ppm will probably cause death in 1 to 2 hrs. Can be absorbed through skin. Swallowing may cause death or eye damage. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
METHANOL reacts violently with acetyl bromide [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Mixtures with concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated hydrogen peroxide can cause explosions. Reacts with hypochlorous acid either in water solution or mixed water/carbon tetrachloride solution to give methyl hypochlorite, which decomposes in the cold and may explode on exposure to sunlight or heat. Gives the same product with chlorine. Can react explosively with isocyanates under basic conditions. The presence of an inert solvent mitigates this reaction [Wischmeyer 1969]. A violent exothermic reaction occurred between methyl alcohol and bromine in a mixing cylinder [MCA Case History 1863. 1972]. A flask of anhydrous lead perchlorate dissolved in methanol exploded when it was disturbed [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 52:2391. 1930]. P4O6 reacts violently with methanol. (Thorpe, T. E. et al., J. Chem. Soc., 1890, 57, 569-573). Ethanol or methanol can ignite on contact with a platinum-black catalyst. (Urben 1794).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been
known to react with the
absorbent
listed below.
- Cellulose-Based Absorbents
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: Methanol (UN1230) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.
SMALL SPILL: Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers for later disposal. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.
LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Approved canister mask for high vapor concentrations; safety goggles; rubber gloves. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Methanol |
67-56-1 |
Liquid |
|
imm |
>480 |
imm |
117 |
117 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2024)
First Aid
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.
SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)
Physical Properties
Flash Point:
52°F
(NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
6 %
(NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
36.5 %
(NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature:
867°F
(USCG, 1999)
Melting Point:
-144°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure:
100 mmHg
at 70.2°F
; 237.87 mmHg at 100°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
1.11
(NTP, 1992)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
0.792
at 68°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point:
148.3°F
at 760 mmHg
(NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight:
32.04
(NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility:
greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL
at 70°F
(NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential:
10.84 eV
(NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH:
6000 ppm
(NIOSH, 2024)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
Chemical |
ERPG-1 |
ERPG-2 |
ERPG-3 |
Methanol (67-56-1)
|
200 ppm |
1000 ppm |
5000 ppm |
(AIHA, 2022)
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
|
Methyl alcohol; (Methanol) (67-56-1)
|
530 ppm |
2100 ppm |
7200 ppm  |
LEL = 55000 ppm |
(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name |
CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ |
EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
Methanol |
67-56-1 |
|
|
5000 pounds |
313 |
U154 |
|
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
No regulatory information available.
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
- BIELESKI'S SOLUTION
- CARBINOL
- COLONIAL SPIRIT
- COLUMBIAN SPIRIT
- COLUMBIAN SPIRITS
- METHANOL
- METHANOL CLUSTER
- METHYL ALCOHOL
- METHYL HYDROXIDE
- METHYLOL
- MONOHYDROXYMETHANE
- PYROLIGNEOUS SPIRIT
- PYROXYLIC SPIRIT
- SOLUTIONS, BIELESKI'S
- WOOD ALCOHOL
- WOOD NAPHTHA
- WOOD SPIRIT