METHYL ALCOHOL (METHANOL) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

METHYL ALCOHOL (METHANOL)†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	67-56-1
Formula	CH₄O
Synonyms	carbinol; columbian spirits; methanol; pyroligneous spirit; wood alcohol; wood naphtha; wood spirit

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless liquid with a characteristic pungent odor.
Boiling point	147°F	Molecular weight	32.1
Freezing point/melting point	-144°F	Vapor pressure	96 mmHg
Flash point	52°F	Vapor density	1.11
Specific gravity	0.79	Ionization potential	10.84 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	6.0%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	36%
NFPA health rating	1	NFPA fire rating	3
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1660
Sampling group	OVSG-2
Sampler/Sampling media	2 Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82], tube holder [SKC 222-3L-1], Type D cover [SKC 224-29D]
Sampling time^*	60 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	3 L (or 5 L when humidity is greater than 50%)
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.05 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA 5001 (fully validated)
Notes	Separate tubes and seal each after sampling.
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media

Bulk Method
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device	Detector tube	Detector tube	Detector tube	Detector tube	Detector tube	CMS Chip
Model/Type	Gastec 111	Gastec 111	Gastec 111	Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-119SA	Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-119U	Methanol, 20-500 ppm range
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)	0.5 to 4 strokes, 0.0004-4.5% range, uncertainty 25%; for 0.02-0.5%, 16% for 0.5-1.5%	1 to 2 strokes, 5-1000 ppm range, uncertainty 25% for 40-200 ppm, 16% for 200-1000 ppm	2 to 4 strokes, 0.2-56 ppm range, uncertainty 25% for 2-5 ppm, 16% for 5-20 ppm	1 stroke, 0.05-6% range	1 stroke, approx 20-1000 ppm range

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	200 ppm (260 mg/m³)	REL-TWA	200 ppm (260 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA	200 ppm [2008]	PEL-TWA	200 ppm (260 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL	250 ppm (325 mg/m³)	TLV-STEL	250 ppm [2008]	PEL-STEL	250 ppm (325 mg/m³)
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C	1000 ppm
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes: BEI®		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	6000 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: Not listed		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3: 200 ppm/1000 ppm/5000 ppm

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Methanol

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Methyl alcohol

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Methanol. See annual publication for most recent information.
Finkelstein, Y. and Vardi, J.: Progressive parkinsonism in a young experimental physicist following long-term exposure to methanol. Neurotoxicology 23(4-5): 521-525, 2002.
Hageman, G., van der Hoek, J.A. and Faber, C.G.: Spastic paraparesis without optic atrophy after occupational methanol exposure. J. Neurol. 250(7): 876-877, 2003.
NIOSH. Occupational Health Guideline for Methyl Alcohol. September 1978.
NIOSH. Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Methyl Alcohol. March 1976.

Last Updated Date : 06/20/2023

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
2) Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82]	240 min	12 L	0.05 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling
n-Butyl alcohol	0460	No
sec-Butyl alcohol	0461	No
Ethyl alcohol	1060	No
Isobutyl alcohol	1536	No
Isopropyl alcohol	1560	No
Methyl alcohol*	1660	No
n-Propyl alcohol	2170	No

Notes

Immediately after sampling, separate the two sampling tubes to prevent post-sampling migration.

Request any (up to two (2)) of these analytes together.

Results for unrequested analytes in this group will be reported if significant amounts are found.

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

*If this is your primary analyte of interest, sample for 60 min at 0.05 L/min (3L). If the relative humidity is >50% at 25°C, you can sample for 100 min at 0.05 L/min (5L).