What safety measures are folks taking when handling methanol for alky kits?

EDIT: Just did some googling on methanol handling. Sounds extremely toxic, even if you just breath it or it gets on your skin. I think I'll stick with denatured. I can live with a few less HP for the sake of my health.

 

You can do what ever you want with methyl alcohol, wash your hands, burn it....just dont drink it

 

That's very contrary to the information on many websites about the dangers of methanol, even when it only enters your system through inhalation of the vapor or absorbing small amounts through the skin.

I can believe that it's possible to handle this stuff safely, but there is clearly a risk with it that you don't have with other less toxic alcohols.

 

I didn't realize it was this toxic. I guess I should stick to denature alky then.

 

No worse than other liquids you come in contact with on a regular basis. Take a look at the MSDS for petrol. Be careful when you move it from one container to another static charge can build up and give you a big surprise.

http://www.oldworldind.com/chemicals...hanol_msds.pdfMSDS

 

I use methyl alcohol everyday to clean optical lenses, household bleach is more dangerous than MeOH and no one is making such a big issue out of using it. Like i say, do anything with it, but just dont drink it. Btw, it smells really good

 

After I began to have severe flatulence I decided it was best to stop drinking the methanol and rubbing it on my belly and since then I have been OK

Seriously - dont spill it on yourself and especially not on your crotch !!!!!

And don't try working on it with a full bottle underneath the car while looking upwards like I did one time !

I guess its not a good idea to use your mouth to suck it through a hose anymore

 

SlowCar, please dont take offense.

If your kidding, please don't joke around with info that can harm someone careless enough to follow your advice of washing your hands with methanol.
If your not kidding, don't post info on subjects you not sure about, especially for thousands to read - it pollutes the threads and in this case can potentially be fatal to someone.

Methyl alcohol (methanol) will absorb through the skin and aggressively attacks and destroys the nervous system and liver (unlike some other alcohols).

Sorry for writing this OT info everyone, I just feel I have some responsibility to state the precautions about methanol since I did contribute some about it's use.

Just be careful, It's only harmless if you don't breath the vapors, avoid skin contact, and of course don't drink.

Take care.

 

Take a look at the Material Safety Data Sheet "MSDS" Judge for yourself.

MSDS LINK

 

The stuff isn't as bad as other liquids, is that you were implying?

It's not as safe as EtOH or rubbing alc. so you washing your hands with it would be foolish.

I was basically stating be careful with handling anhydrous MeOH on daily basis cuz chronic skin contact will harm you eventually. Accidentally leaving it out with children around can be fatal or cause blindness too. That was what I was implying.

OK lets quit talking about the hazards of MeOH and move back to performance, fair enough?

Thanks

 

The bottom line is dont spill it on yourself - dont drink it and try and fill it up in non confined areas - like out doors and you wont have any problems

That **** is nasty and I wont let it get on me !