METHANOL

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Identification Emergency Emergency overview overview DANGER -- POISON Flammable liquid and vapor. May be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed. Cannot be made nonpoisonous. Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Causes skin and eye irritation. High vapor concentrations may cause drowsiness and irritation of the eyes or respiratory tract. May cause harm to the unborn child. Prolonged exposure may cause chronic effects.

Potential health effects

Potential health health effects Routes Routes of of of of exposure exposure Inhalation. Skin contact. Eye contact. Ingestion. Eyes Causes eye irritation. High vapor/aerosol concentrations may be irritating. Skin Causes skin irritation. Prolonged or repeated contact with skin may cause redness, itching, irritation and eczema/chapping. Inhalation May cause irritation of respiratory tract. Toxic effects exerted upon nervous system, particularly the optic nerve. Once absorbed into the body, it is very slowly eliminated. Symptoms of overexposure may include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, blindness, coma and death. A person may get better but then worse again up to 30 hours later. Ingestion Poison - may be fatal if swallowed. Even small amounts (30-250 ml methanol) may be fatal. Symptoms are stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, dullness, visual disorder and blindness. Target Target organs organs Eyes. Skin. Central nervous system. Liver.

Potential chronic health

Chronic effects In serious cases absorption of methanol in the body may lead to damage to the eyesight. May cause adverse reproductive effects - such as birth defects, miscarriages, or infertility based on animal data. May cause central nervous system disorder (e.g., narcosis involving a loss of coordination, weakness, fatigue, mental confusion and blurred vision) and/or damage. Frequent or prolonged contact may defat and dry the skin, leading to discomfort and dermatitis.

Environmental effects

Potential environmental environmental effects The product components are not classified as environmentally hazardous. However, this does not exclude the possibility that large or frequent spills can have a harmful or damaging effect on the environment. 3333. . . . Composition