METHANOL

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Basic information

  • Chemical formula(s): \({\rm CH_3OH}\)
  • Other names: methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, methyl hydrate
  • CAS: 67-56-1
  • International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): 0057
  • Flammability: yes - highly flammable
  • NOAA’s description: colourless fairly volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odour, vapours slightly heavier than air may travel some distance to a source of ignition and flash back, accumulation of vapours may explode if ignited.

NFPA 704 (fire diamond)

  • Health (blue): 1 - exposure would cause irritation with only minor residual injury.
  • Flammability (red): 3 - it can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Its flash point is 11-12 °C. It’s autoignition temperature is between 385 and 470 °C.
  • Instability–reactivity (yellow): 0 - normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water.
  • Special notice (white): -

Hazard statements

Code Phrase
H225 highly flammable liquid and vapour
H301 toxic if swallowed
H302 harmful if swallowed
H305 may be harmful if swallowed and enters airways
H311 toxic in contact with skin
H331 toxic if inhaled
H370 causes damage to organs

Precautionary statements

Code Phrase
P210 keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources, no smoking
P233 keep container tightly closed
P235 keep cool
P240 ground and bond container and receiving equipment
P241 use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/light/…/equipment
P242 use only non-sparking tools
P243 take precautionary measures to prevent static discharges
P260 do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
P264 wash … thoroughly after handling
P270 do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product
P271 use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
P280 wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: rinse mouth, do NOT induce vomiting
P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: wash with soap and water
P303+P361+P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water/shower
P304+P340 IF INHALED: remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: rinse continuously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing
P307+P311 IF EXPOSED: call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline)
P310 immediately call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline)
P311 call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline)
P312 call the ETH Emergency Desk if you feel unwell
P337+P313 if eye irritation persists: get medical advice/attention
P361 remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing
P363 wash contaminated clothing before reuse
P370+P378 IN CASE OF FIRE: use a dry chemical fire extinguisher to extinguish
P403+P233 store in a well ventilated place, keep container tightly closed
P405 store locked up
P501 dispose of contents/container to HCI-Shop

Protective measures

Gloves

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart categorize gloves into four protection levels (very good, good, fair, poor (not recommended)) for given chemical. The levels of protection against methanol for four types of gloves are:

  • Neoprene: very good.
  • Natural latex or rubber: very good.
  • Buthyl: very good.
  • Nitrile: very good.

Safety goggles

  • Always wear safety goggles when handling methanol. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
  • Handle methanol inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).

Clothing

  • Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
  • Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
  • Do not wear cosmetics.
  • Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
  • Do not wear headphones.

Spill management

  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
  • Arrange disposal.
  • Do not let it enter drain.
  • If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).