METHYL ALCOHOL MSDS

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 

1: Chemical Product Identification

Product Name: Methyl alcohol
Catalog Codes: SLM3064, SLM3952
CAS#: 67-56-1
RTECS: PC1400000
TSCA: TSCA 8(b) inventory: Methyl alcohol
CI#: Not applicable.
Synonym: Wood alcohol, Methanol; Methylol; Wood
Spirit; Carbinol
Chemical Name: Methanol
Chemical Formula: CH3OH

2. Composition and Information on Ingredients 

Toxicological Data on Ingredients: Methyl alcohol: ORAL (LD50): Acute: 5628 mg/kg [Rat]. DERMAL (LD50): Acute: 15800

mg/kg [Rabbit]. VAPOR (LC50): Acute: 64000 ppm 4 hours [Rat].

3: Hazards Identification

Potential Acute Health Effects:

Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator). Severe over-exposure can result in death.

Potential Chronic Health Effects: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer).

CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.

MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Classified POSSIBLE for human.

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance is toxic to eyes. The substance may be

toxic to blood, kidneys, liver, brain, peripheral nervous system, upper respiratory tract, skin, central nervous system (CNS), optic nerve. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. Repeated exposure to a highly toxic material may produce general deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many human organs.

4: First Aid Measures

Eye Contact:

Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention.

Skin Contact:

In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Cold water may be used.Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. Get medical attention immediately.

Serious Skin Contact:

Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream. Seek immediate medical attention.

Inhalation:

If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention immediately.

Serious Inhalation:

Evacuate the victim to a safe area as soon as possible. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. WARNING: It may be hazardous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when the inhaled material is toxic, infectious or corrosive. Seek immediate medical attention.

Ingestion:

If swallowed, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. Get medical attention immediately.

Serious Ingestion: Not available.

5: Fire and Explosion Data

Flammability of the Product:                                                       Flammable.

Auto-Ignition Temperature:                                                        464°C (867.2°F)

Flash Points:                                                                                       CLOSED CUP: 12°C (53.6°F). OPEN CUP: 16°C (60.8°F).

Flammable Limits:                                                                            LOWER: 6% UPPER: 36.5%

Products of Combustion:                                                              These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO2).

Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances:                 Highly flammable in presence of open flames and sparks, of heat. Non-flammable in presence of shocks.

Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances:

Risks of explosion of the product in presence of mechanical impact: Not available.

Explosive in presence of open flames and sparks, of heat.

Fire Fighting Media and Instructions:                                       Flammable liquid, soluble or dispersed in water. SMALL FIRE: Use DRY chemical powder. LARGE FIRE: Use alcohol foam, water spray or fog.

Special Remarks on Fire Hazards:

Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. Vapor may travel considerable distance to source of ignition and flash back. When heated to decomposition, it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. CAUTION: MAY BURN WITH NEAR INVISIBLE FLAME

Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards:

Forms an explosive mixture with air due to its low flash point. Explosive when mixed with Choroform + sodium methoxide and diethyl zinc. It boils violently and explodes.

6: Accidental Release Measures

Small Spill:

Dilute with water and mop up, or absorb with an inert dry material and place in an appropriate waste disposal container.

Large Spill:

Flammable liquid. Poisonous liquid. Keep away from heat. Keep away from sources of ignition. Stop leak if without risk. Absorb with DRY earth, sand or other non-combustible material. Do not get water inside container. Do not touch spilled material. Use water spray to reduce vapors. Prevent entry into sewers, basements or confined areas; dike if needed. Call for assistance on disposal. Be careful that the product is not present at a concentration level above TLV. Check TLV on the

MSDS and with local authorities.

7: Handling and Storage

Precautions:

Keep locked up.. Keep away from heat. Keep away from sources of ignition. Ground all equipment containing material. Do not ingest. Do not breathe gas/fumes/ vapor/spray. Wear suitable protective clothing. In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment. If ingested, seek medical advice immediately and show the container or the label. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Keep away from incompatibles such as oxidizing agents, metals, acids.

Storage:

Store in a segregated and approved area. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area. Keep container tightly closed and sealed until ready for use. Avoid all possible sources of ignition (spark or flame).

8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Engineering Controls:

Provide exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep the airborne concentrations of vapors below their respective threshold limit value. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are proximal to the work-station location.

Personal Protection:

Splash goggles. Lab coat. Vapor respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Gloves.

Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill:

Splash goggles. Full suit. Vapor respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this product.

Exposure Limits:

TWA: 200 from OSHA (PEL) [United States] TWA: 200 STEL: 250 (ppm) from ACGIH (TLV) [United States] [1999] STEL: 250

from NIOSH [United States] TWA: 200 STEL: 250 (ppm) from NIOSH SKIN TWA: 200 STEL: 250 (ppm) [Canada] Consult local authorities for acceptable exposure limits.

9: Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical state and appearance:                                                                  Liquid.

Odor:                                                                                                                    Alcohol like. Pungent when crude

Taste:                                                                                                                    Not available.

Molecular Weight:                                                                                           32.04 g/mole

Color:                                                                                                                    Colorless.

pH (1% soln/water):                                                                                        Not available.

Boiling Point:                                                                                                     64.5°C (148.1°F)

Melting Point:                                                                                                    -97.8°C (-144°F)

Critical Temperature:                                                                                     240°C (464°F)

Specific Gravity:                                                                                                0.7915 (Water = 1)

Vapor Pressure:                                                                                                12.3 kPa (@ 20°C)

Vapor Density:                                                                                                   1.11 (Air = 1)

Volatility:                                                                                                             Not available.

Odor Threshold:                                                                                               100 ppm

Water/Oil Dist. Coeff.:                                                                                   The product is more soluble in water; log(oil/water) = -0.8

Ionicity (in Water):                                                                                           Non-ionic.

Dispersion Properties:                                                                                    See solubility in water.

Solubility:                                                                                                            Easily soluble in cold water, hot water.

10: Stability and Reactivity Data

Stability:                                                                                                               The product is stable.

Instability Temperature:                                                                               Not available.

Conditions of Instability:                                                                               Heat, ingnition sources, incompatible materials

Incompatibility with various substances:                                                Reactive with oxidizing agents, metals, acids.

Corrosivity:                                                                                                         Non-corrosive in presence of glass.

Special Remarks on Reactivity:                                                                   Can react vigorously with oxidizers. Violent reaction with alkyl aluminum salts, acetyl bromide, chloroform + sodium methoxide, chromic anhydride, cyanuirc chlorite, lead perchlorate, phosphorous trioxide, nitric acid. Exothermic reaction with sodium hydroxide + chloroform. Incompatible with beryllium dihydride, metals (potassium and magnesium), oxidants (barium perchlorate, bromine, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide), potassium tert-butoxide, carbon tetrachloride, alkali metals, metals (aluminum, potassium magnesium, zinc), and dichlormethane. Rapid autocatalytic dissolution of aluminum,

magnesium or zinc in 9:1 methanol + carbon tetrachloride – sufficiently vigorous to be rated as potentially hazardous. May attack some plastics, rubber, and coatings.

Special Remarks on Corrosivity:                                                                  Not available.

Polymerization:                                                                                                 Will not occur.

11: Toxicological Information

Routes of Entry: Absorbed through skin. Eye contact. Inhalation. Ingestion.

Toxicity to Animals: WARNING: THE LC50 VALUES HEREUNDER ARE ESTIMATED ON THE BASIS OF A 4-HOUR EXPOSURE. Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 5628 mg/kg [Rat]. Acute dermal toxicity (LD50): 15800 mg/kg [Rabbit]. Acute toxicity of the vapor (LC50):

64000 4 hours [Rat].

Chronic Effects on Humans:

MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Classified POSSIBLE for human. Causes damage to the following organs: eyes. May cause damage to the following organs: blood, kidneys, liver, brain, peripheral nervous system, upper respiratory tract, skin, central nervous system (CNS), optic nerve.

Other Toxic Effects on Humans:

Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator).

Special Remarks on Toxicity to Animals: Not available.

Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans:

Passes through the placental barrier. May affect genetic material. May cause birth defects and adverse reproductive effects(paternal and maternal effects and fetotoxicity ) based on animal studies.

Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans:

12: Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Ecotoxicity in water (LC50): 29400 mg/l 96 hours [Fathead Minnow].

BOD5 and COD: Not available.

Products of Biodegradation:

Possibly hazardous short term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation products may arise.

Toxicity of the Products of Biodegradation: The products of degradation are less toxic than the product itself.

Special Remarks on the Products of Biodegradation:

Methanol in water is rapidly biodegraded and volatilized. Aquatic hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis, adsorption to sediment, and bioconcentration are not significant fate processes. The half-life of methanol in surfact water ranges from 24 hrs. to 168 hrs.

Based on its vapor pressure, methanol exists almost entirely in the vapor phase in the ambient atmosphere. It is degraded by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals and has an estimated half-life of 17.8 days. Methanol is physically removed from air by rain due to its solubility. Methanol can react with NO2 in pollulted to form methyl nitrate. The half-life of methanol in air ranges from 71 hrs. (3 days) to 713 hrs. (29.7 days) based on photooxidation half-life in air.

13: Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal:

Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations.

14: Transport Information

DOT Classification: CLASS 3: Flammable liquid.

Identification: : Methyl alcohol UNNA: 1230 PG: II

Special Provisions for Transport: Not available.

15: Other Regulatory Information

Other Regulations:

OSHA: Hazardous by definition of Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). EINECS: This product is on the

European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances.

Protective Equipment:

Gloves. Lab coat. Vapor respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Wear appropriate respirator

when ventilation is inadequate. Splash goggles.

16: Other Information

References: Not Available

Other Special Considerations: Not available.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

All information and instructions provided in this Material Safety Data Sheet in respect of the substance is given solely in terms of the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act No 85 of 1993

and Regulations (“the Act”), is based on scientific and technical knowledge as at the date indicated on this MS Material Safety Data Sheet and is presented in good faith to be correct.

The information and instructions provided in this MSDS apply only to the substance in its present form and not to any formulation or mix, in which event it is the sole responsibility of the user of the substance as formulated and/or mixed to investigate and establish any danger which may arise out of its use, wherever such user may be situated.

It is the sole responsibility of the person in receipt of this Material Safety Data Sheet wherever such recipient may be situated, to ensure that the information provided is communicated to and understood by any person who may come in contact with the substance in any place and in any manner whatsoever. If such recipient produces formulations or mixes using the substance, then it is such recipient’s sole responsibility to comply with the provisions of the Act in respect of the provision of the necessary Material Safety Data Sheet, or to comply with any other applicable legislation.

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