METHANOL                                                                                                                          0057
April 2000
CAS No: 67-56-1                                   Methyl alcohol
RTECS No: PC1400000                               Carbinol
UN No: 1230                                       Wood alcohol
EC No: 603-001-00-X                               CH4O / CH3OH
                                                  Molecular mass: 32.0
TYPES OF
HAZARD/            ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS                PREVENTION                               FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING
EXPOSURE
FIRE               Highly flammable. See Notes.          NO open flames, NO sparks, and           Powder, alcohol-resistant foam,
                                                         NO smoking. NO contact with              water in large amounts, carbon
                                                         oxidants.                                dioxide.
EXPLOSION          Vapour/air mixtures are explosive.    Closed system, ventilation,              In case of fire: keep drums, etc.,
                                                         explosion-proof electrical equipment     cool by spraying with water.
                                                         and lighting. Do NOT use
                                                         compressed air for filling,
                                                         discharging, or handling. Use
                                                         non-sparking handtools.
EXPOSURE                                                 AVOID EXPOSURE OF
                                                         ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN!
Inhalation         Cough. Dizziness. Headache.           Ventilation. Local exhaust or            Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical
                   Nausea. Weakness. Visual              breathing protection.                    attention.
                   disturbance.
Skin               MAY BE ABSORBED! Dry skin.            Protective gloves. Protective            Remove contaminated clothes.
                   Redness.                              clothing.                                Rinse skin with plenty of water or
                                                                                                  shower. Refer for medical attention.
Eyes               Redness. Pain.                        Safety goggles or eye protection in      First rinse with plenty of water for
                                                         combination with breathing               several minutes (remove contact
                                                         protection.                              lenses if easily possible), then take
                                                                                                  to a doctor.
Ingestion          Abdominal pain. Shortness of          Do not eat, drink, or smoke during       Induce vomiting (ONLY IN
                   breath. Vomiting. Convulsions.        work. Wash hands before eating.          CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Refer
                   Unconsciousness. (Further see                                                  for medical attention.
                   Inhalation).
SPILLAGE DISPOSAL                                        PACKAGING & LABELLING
Evacuate danger area! Ventilation. Collect leaking       F Symbol                                 Do not transport with food and
liquid in sealable containers. Wash away remainder       T Symbol                                 feedstuffs.
with plenty of water. Remove vapour with fine water      R: 11-23/24/25-39/23/24/25
spray. Chemical protection suit including                S: (1/2-)7-16-36/37-45
self-contained breathing apparatus.                      UN Hazard Class: 3
                                                         UN Subsidiary Risks: 6.1
                                                         UN Pack Group: II
EMERGENCY RESPONSE                                       SAFE STORAGE
Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-30S1230                Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, food and feedstuffs. Cool.
NFPA Code: H 1; F 3; R 0
 IPCS                                                                      Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International
                                                                          Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission ©
 International                                                                                        IPCS 2005
 Programme on
 Chemical Safety                                                                    SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE BACK.
0057                                                                                                                  METHANOL
                                                       IMPORTANT DATA
Physical State; Appearance                                          Routes of exposure
COLOURLESS LIQUID, WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.                       The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and
                                                                    through the skin and by ingestion.
Physical dangers
The vapour mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily       Inhalation risk
formed.                                                             A harmful contamination of the air can be reached rather quickly
                                                                    on evaporation of this substance at 20/C.
Chemical dangers
Reacts violently with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard.   Effects of short-term exposure
                                                                    The substance is irritating to the eyes, the skin and the
Occupational exposure limits                                        respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the
TLV: 200 ppm as TWA, 250 ppm as STEL; (skin); BEI issued;           central nervous system, resulting in loss of consciousness.
(ACGIH 2004).                                                       Exposure may result in blindness and death. The effects may be
MAK: 200 ppm, 270 mg/m3; Peak limitation category: II(4); skin      delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
absorption (H); Pregnancy risk group: C (DFG 2004).
                                                                    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                                                  Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20/C (air = 1): 1.01
Melting point: -98/C                                                 Flash point: 12/C c.c.
Relative density (water = 1): 0.79                                   Auto-ignition temperature: 464/C
Solubility in water: miscible                                        Explosive limits, vol% in air: 5.5-44
Vapour pressure, kPa at 20/C: 12.3                                   Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.82/-0.66
Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.1
                                                   ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
                                                                NOTES
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.
                                                ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                 Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible
  LEGAL NOTICE
                                                             ©IPCS 2005