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Methanol - Incident Management

Key Points

Fire

  • Flammable; burns with a non-luminous, bluish flame.
  • Methanol forms an explosive mixture with air due to its low flash point
  • In the event of a fire involving methanol, use alcohol resistant foam or fine water spray and liquid-tight chemical protective suit with breathing apparatus

Health

  • Ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption are the main routes of exposure
  • Toxic
  • Exposure causes headache, confusion, vertigo, ataxia, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Convulsions and coma are seen in severe toxicity
  • May be directly irritating to the eyes causing an immediate stinging and burning sensation with lacrimation, as well as blurred vision with the appearance of a 'snow field' and photophobia

Environment

  • Avoid release into the environment
  • Inform Environment Agency of substantial release incidents

 

Frequently Asked Questions       Hazard Identification

Prepared by J D Pritchard
CHAPD HQ, HPA
2007
Version 2

This document will be reviewed not later than 3 years, or sooner if substantive evidence becomes available.