Methanol

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Poison. May be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed. Can cause teratogenic effects. Causes eye irritation. Can cause skin irritation. Mists or sprays are irritating to eyes and respiratory tract. At elevated temperatures may cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. See "Other Health Effects” Section. Flammable liquid and vapour. May cause flash fire or explosion. Can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases. Contents may develop pressure on prolonged exposure to heat.

Potential health effects

Inhalation: Contact with mist or spray will cause irritation of Mucous membranes, coughing and difficulty in breathing. See "Other Health Effects” Section. Page 2 of 8 Skin Contact: Prolonged and repeated contact may lead to dermatitis. May cause defatting, drying and cracking of the skin. Skin contact can cause irritation, especially under the finger nails (and other confined spaces such as under rings or watch bands). Skin Absorption: May be absorbed through intact skin. Eye Contact: Vapours from this product are irritating to the eyes. Splashes to the eye may cause irritation, redness and pain. Product residues on fingers, hands or gloves may contact the eyes and cause eye irritation, redness and pain. Ingestion: This product causes irritation, a burning sensation of the mouth and throat and abdominal pain.

Other Health Effects

Effects (irritancy) on the skin and eyes may be delayed, and damage may occur without the sensation or onset of pain. Strict adherence to first aid measures following any exposure is essential. May cause visual disturbances, blindness, photophobia, central nervous system (CNS) depression, liver damage, kidney damage, metabolic acidosis, endocrine effects, systemic poisoning and death. Mild blurring of vision to complete blindness may occur, including changes in colour perception and photophobia. Symptoms usually develop 12-18 hours after exposure. Abnormal sensitivity to light is termed photophobia. CNS depression is characterized by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and incoordination. Severe overexposures may lead to coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. Liver damage is characterized by the loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowish skin colour), and occasional pain in the upper left-hand side of the abdomen. Signs and symptoms of kidney damage generally progress from oliguria, to blood in the urine, to total renal failure. Metabolic acidosis is a condition that describes a decreased pH and bicarbonate concentration in the body fluids.