Methanol

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

29 CFR 1910.1200) Emergency 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 IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. HIGH VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS. MAY CAUSE HARM TO THE UNBORN CHILD. PROLONGED EXPOSURE MAY CAUSE CHRONIC EFFECTS. Safety Ratings: Health: 3, Severe Reactivity: 1, Slight Flammability: 3, Severe Contact: 3, Severe OSHA Regulatory Status: This product is considered a "Hazardous Chemical" as defined by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact 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. Skin Contact: Causes irritation. Prolonged or repeated contact with skin may cause redness, itching, irritation and eczema/chapping. Skin absorption can occur, symptoms may parallel ingestion exposure. Eye Contact: Causes irritation. Target Organs: Skin, central nervous system, liver, reproductive system, eyes

Potential chronic health

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

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.