Material Safety Data Sheet: Methanol
Identification
Product Name: Methanol
Chemical Formula: CH3OH
Synonyms: Methyl alcohol, Wood alcohol, Carbinol
CAS Number: 67-56-1
Recommended Use: Solvent, fuel, antifreeze, feedstock in chemical manufacturing
Supplier: Clearly stating supplier’s complete contact details assists emergency response and traceability
Emergency Phone: Accessible phone for quick connection with health professionals, fire brigade, and environmental authorities
Hazard Identification
Hazard Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 2), Acute toxicity by oral, dermal, and inhalation (Category 3), Specific target organ toxicity (Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor, toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, toxic if inhaled, causes damage to organs (optic nerve, central nervous system), may cause drowsiness or dizziness
Pictograms: Flame, Skull and Crossbones, Health hazard
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces, do not breathe vapors or mist, use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye, and face protection
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Name: Methanol
CAS Number: 67-56-1
Concentration: Above 99%
Impurities: Water (typically low ppm), trace organics from raw material streams
Additives: None indicated in technical grade
EC Number: 200-659-6
REACH Registration Number: Provided by the supplier under REACH protocols
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove from exposure, move to fresh air, keep victim warm and at rest, seek immediate medical attention, artificial respiration if breathing stops
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water, do not use solvents, treat burns or irritation medically
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses, continue rinsing, seek immediate medical advice
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek urgent medical help, monitor for signs of intoxication and visual disturbances
Advice to Physician: Treat with attention to acidosis and visual impairment, administer ethanol or fomepizole as antidotes for methanol poisoning, monitor kidney and liver function
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray (for larger fires)
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet due to risk of spreading the fire
Specific Hazards: Methanol forms explosive vapor-air mixtures, very low flash point, combustion releases toxic fumes including carbon monoxide and formaldehyde
Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Firefighting Instructions: Keep containers cool by spraying with water, avoid inhaling fumes, use caution to prevent spillage of water runoff
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, ventilate area, eliminate ignition sources, avoid inhalation or contact with skin or eyes
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, and waterways, notify authorities of large spills
Containment Methods: Use vapor-suppressing foam on pools to reduce vapors, contain spillage with non-combustible absorbent (sand, earth, vermiculite)
Clean-up Methods: Collect spill in labeled containers for disposal, ventilate and wash area after removal, handle with spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment
Handling and Storage
Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas or outdoors, ground and bond containers, avoid static discharge, prevent vapor buildup, avoid direct contact or ingestion, practice good hygiene and housekeeping
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers, in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas, away from heat and ignition sources, compatible only with certain materials (no storage with strong oxidizers or acids), secure storage to prevent unauthorized access
Special Requirements: Use containers and lines rated for flammable liquids, display hazard warning signage, keep away from food and animal feed
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 200 ppm (260 mg/m3), ACGIH TLV: 200 ppm (TWA), 250 ppm (STEL)
Engineering Controls: Mechanical ventilation, local exhaust, explosion-proof systems
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), splash-proof goggles or face shield, flame-retardant clothing, impermeable boots
Respiratory Protection: Use approved respirators in high vapor concentrations or confined spaces
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, face, and exposed skin areas after handling, remove contaminated clothing promptly, do not eat or drink in work areas
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mild, alcohol-like
Odor Threshold: 50-100 ppm
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -98°C (-144°F)
Boiling Point: 64.5°C (148°F)
Flash Point: 11°C (52°F) closed cup
Evaporation Rate: 4.1 (n-BuAc = 1)
Flammability: Highly flammable
Vapor Pressure: 128 mm Hg at 25°C
Vapor Density: 1.11 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.792 g/cm3
Solubility: Miscible in water
Partition Coefficient: log Kow: -0.77
Auto-ignition Temperature: 455°C (851°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Not specified
Viscosity: 0.544 mPa.s at 20°C
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Methanol is reactive with oxidizers, acids, metals forming hydrogen gas
Hazardous Reactions: Exothermic polymerization does not occur, hazardous vapors form under strong heat or fire
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, sunlight, static discharge
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents, acids, chlorinated compounds, ammonia, alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde in fire or hot conditions
Toxicological Information
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 5628 mg/kg, LC50 (inhalation, rat): 64000 ppm/4h
Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, blindness, central nervous system depression, death
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure affects liver, kidneys, nervous system, can cause blindness
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC or NTP
Mutagenicity: Limited evidence, refer to most current data
Reproductive Toxicity: Negative or not established
Sensitization: Not regarded as a sensitizer
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life at high concentrations, LC50 (fish, 96 h): > 13,000 mg/L (Lepomis macrochirus)
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in water and soil
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low (log Kow < 1)
Mobility: High soil mobility, leaches readily into groundwater
Environmental Fate: Volatilizes from water and soil surfaces, degrades via microbial activity
Disposal Considerations
Waste Treatment Methods: Burn in approved chemical incinerator with afterburner and scrubber, coordinate with local environmental control authorities
Product Disposal: According to local, regional, national, and international regulations, never discharge into drains or water bodies
Contaminated Packaging: Containers emptied must retain hazard labels, triple-rinse, send to approved recycling or disposal facility
Transport Information
UN Number: UN1230
Proper Shipping Name: Methanol
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquids)
Packing Group: II
Special Provisions: Emergency Response Guide: Code 131
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Secured upright transport, separated from oxidants, with spill containment
Regulatory Information
OSHA Status: Regulated hazardous substance
TSCA Inventory: Listed
EINECS: 200-659-6
REACH Registration: Required and maintained by importers/manufacturers
SARA Title III: Section 302: Not listed; Section 313: Listed for toxic chemical release reporting
CA Proposition 65: This chemical is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm
WHMIS (Canada): Class B2 (Flammable Liquid); Class D1B (Toxic Material); Class D2A (Very Toxic Material)
