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Re: I located a local source for Methanol, today...
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Steve Spence
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Nov 03, 2009 08:55 PST
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It's used in the making of biodiesel, and we have to use gloves and
respirators.
Methanol is a central nervous system depressant and neurotoxicant. Acute
exposure to methanol may result in headache, vomiting, irritation of the
nose and throat, dilation of the pupils, feeling of intoxication, loss
of muscle coordination, excessive sweating, bronchitis, convulsions, and
death. Very high exposures may result in stupor, cramps and visual
difficulties such as spotted vision, sensitivity to light, eye
tenderness, and blindness. Recovery is not always complete and symptoms
may recur without additional exposure. Nerve damage may occur causing
loss of coordination and blindness. Because methanol is slowly
eliminated from the body, repeated exposure to low levels may cause
severe symptoms due to accumulation. -
http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/html/methanol.html
The cancer reference I was thinking of was MTBE.
http://www.ewg.org/node/22027
Steve Spence
Renewable energy and self sufficiency
http://www.green-trust.org
http://makingthewebwork.blogspot.com/
mcbgraham wrote:
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I looked up the hazards of methanol and didn't see anything about cancer
in particular. It seemed to be the same hazard as most alcohols
<http://www.lycaeum.org/paranoia/alcohol/Methyl-Alcohol>- birth defects
(I rather doubt Gig need worry about that) liver damage, blindness and
dry skin from prolonged exposure.
So I am curious. How cleanly does it burn, are the dangerous parts
burned off in normal use or would they be released into the air? If it
is so much less expensive, why do more people not use it for home
heating or cooking?
Caroline
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