Pit Talk: Methanol (CH3OH) and Safety

Presented to you by:

Baldwin Racing

I decided to do a little research on the fuel we use and see what damage it could cause to the boaters that are using it. Take note that the information in this article is my opinion and should not be used as the truth as there could be mistakes in my findings. First of all I decided to get a little technical and clearly define the specifications of the Methanol and then get to the safety and health effects it has on people.

Technical:

The Mehanol we use is also called METHYL ALCOHOL, WOOD ALCOHOL, or WOOD SPIRIT, the simplest of a long series of organic compounds called alcohols; its molecular formula is CH3OH. Methanol was formerly produced by the destructive distillation of wood. The modern method of preparing methanol is based on the direct combination of carbon monoxide gas and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. Most methanol is produced from the methane (q.v.) found in natural gas. Methanol is a colourless liquid that boils at 64.96° C (148.93° F) and solidifies at -93.9° C (-137° F). It forms explosive mixtures with air and burns with a non-luminous flame.

What about its safety and its effects on people?

Safety:

Methanol is a fire hazard, exploding or burning when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. It produces poisonous gases, including formaldehyde, in fire. It is incompatible with beryllium dihydride, chloroform, cyanuric chloride, metals, oxidants, and potassium tert-butoxide. It has a slight alcoholic odour when pure. Methanol is also highly soluble in water.

Methanol also has the disadvantage of being toxic and corrosive. Fuel supply systems must be designed to prevent people from being exposed to it. Boaters should try and come into contact with methanol as little as possible and learn to handle it safely as the flame is also invisible to the human eye.

Health:

Methanol can cause permanent blindness when breathed, ingested, or passed through the skin. Exposure to high concentrations can cause death. A coma resulting from massive exposures may last as long as two to four days.

Because of the slowness with which it is eliminated by the human body, methanol should be regarded as a cumulative poison.

Continude exposure can damage the liver and cause headaches, cardiac depression, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dizziness, a feeling of intoxication, and irritations of the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Repeated or prolonged contact can cause dryness and cracking of the skin. It is a violent poison; many cases of blindness or death have been caused by drinking mixtures containing it.

Fuels aren't for drinking but as we know, we often clean out the fuel pipes by sucking out the fuel that is left in the pipes when it gets contaminated with water. That practice should be stopped as from when you read this article as far as I am concerned as this is very important and this warning should not be dismissed too casually.  

Toddlers who accidentally get into that can of  methanol stored in the garage are, or would be, especially vulnerable. Given their small body weight, a tablespoon could kill.  Also, methanol symptoms are latent, and by the time they are recognised treatment that includes hospitalization and kidney dialysis may be too late.  

A Doctor has stated that hospitalization is not required for accidental ingestion of small quantities, and that accidental small doses of methanol can be treated by drinking fruit juice. They also say  that ethanol is used as an antidote for methanol but that is something I could not find more information on.

Well, I hope this article has been informative for you and will help in changing the way you work with your fuel to ensure you can have many years of safe pleasant boating in the future

Compiled by .Gary Baldwin   (SAMPBA Competitions Manager)
Last updated on 03-Apr-01

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