International Chemical Safety Cards

METHANOL

ICSC: 0057

Methyl alcohol
Carbinol
Wood alcohol
CH₄O / CH₃OH
Molecular mass: 32.0

ICSC #    0057
CAS #     67-56-1
RTECS # PC1400000
UN #        1230
EC #         603-001-00-X
April 11, 2000 Peer reviewed

TYPES OF HAZARD/ EXPOSURE	ACUTE HAZARDS/ SYMPTOMS	PREVENTION	FIRST AID/ FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE	Highly flammable. See Notes.	NO open flames, NO sparks, and NO smoking. NO contact with oxidants.	Powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water in large amounts, carbon dioxide.
EXPLOSION	Vapour/air mixtures are explosive.	Closed system, ventilation, explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting. Do NOT use compressed air for filling, discharging, or handling. Use non-sparking handtools.	In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

EXPOSURE		AVOID EXPOSURE OF ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN!
•INHALATION	Cough. Dizziness. Headache. Nausea. Weakness. Visual disturbance.	Ventilation. Local exhaust or breathing protection.	Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.
•SKIN	MAY BE ABSORBED! Dry skin. Redness.	Protective gloves. Protective clothing.	Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention.
•EYES	Redness. Pain.	Safety goggles or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.	First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor.
•INGESTION	Abdominal pain. Shortness of breath. Vomiting. Convulsions. Unconsciousness. (Further see Inhalation).	Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating.	Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Refer for medical attention.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

STORAGE

PACKAGING & LABELLING

Evacuate danger area! Ventilation. Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers. Wash away remainder with plenty of water. Remove vapour with fine water spray. Chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus.

Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, food and feedstuffs . Cool.

Do not transport with food and feedstuffs.
F symbol
T symbol
R: 11-23/24/25-39/23/24/25
S: 1/2-7-16-36/37-45
UN Hazard Class: 3
UN Subsidiary Risks: 6.1
UN Packing Group: II

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BACK

ICSC: 0057

Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety & the Commission of the European Communities (C) IPCS CEC 1994. No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.

International Chemical Safety Cards

METHANOL

ICSC: 0057

I

M

P

O

R

T

A

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D

A

T

A

PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
COLOURLESS LIQUID , WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

PHYSICAL DANGERS:
The vapour mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily formed.

CHEMICAL DANGERS:
Reacts violently with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
TLV: 200 ppm as TWA, 250 ppm as STEL; (skin); BEI issued; (ACGIH 2004).
MAK: 200 ppm, 270 mg/m³;
Peak limitation category: II(4);
skin absorption (H);
Pregnancy risk group: C
(DFG 2004).
OSHA PEL: TWA 200 ppm (260 mg/m³)
NIOSH REL: TWA 200 ppm (260 mg/m³) ST 250 ppm (325 mg/m³) skin
NIOSH IDLH: 6000 ppm

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin and by ingestion.

INHALATION RISK:
A harmful contamination of the air can be reached rather quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The substance is irritating to the eyes , the skin and the respiratory tract . The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system , resulting in loss of consciousness.Exposure may result in blindness and death.The effects may be delayed.Medical observation is indicated.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. The substance may have effects on the central nervous system , resulting in persistent or recurring headaches and impaired vision.

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

Boiling point: 65°C
Melting point: -98°C
Relative density (water = 1): 0.79
Solubility in water:
miscible
Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 12.3

Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.1
Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20°C (air = 1): 1.01
Flash point: 12°C c.c.
Auto-ignition temperature: 464°C
Explosive limits, vol% in air: 5.5-44
Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.82/-0.66

ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA

N O T E S

Burns with nonluminous bluish flame. Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested. Card has been partly updated in April 2005. See section Occupational Exposure Limits.

Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-30S1230
NFPA Code: H 1; F 3; R 0;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ICSC: 0057	METHANOL
(C) IPCS, CEC, 1994

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE:

Neither NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of the IPCS Peer Review Committee and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements included in national legislation on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant legislation in the country of use. The only modifications made to produce the U.S. version is inclusion of the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.