[Vwdiesel] Biodiesel vs Waste Vegetable Oil

[Bryan K. Walton]

> The main cost & possible problem that I want your opinion on is the
> use of methonal which I am told brings the cost of biodiesel to around .70
> cents a gallon. However, after buying this plant, someone warned be that
> methonal is very toxic & breathing the fumes could damage your lungs,
> cause cancer, etc. Since I already have CLL or Chronic Lymphytic Lukimia
> which is responding well to chemotheraphy, I don't need any more health
> problems. What are the safe ways of handling the methonal?

William, with your health problems, I'll be the last person to dismiss
your concerns.  I will confirm, however, that the methanol component is
indeed the standard component (along with caustic potash) in making
biodiesel.  I'll also add that I took a home biodiesel class last spring. 
The one thing that was stressed was to make sure that your work area vents
well.  Also, when mixing the methanol and potash, they advised that I
ALWAYS perform this step in the OPEN AIR, outside the building, no matter
how well that building vents.  Personally, that advise is enough to make
me comfortable, but obviously you would need to make such a decision for
yourself.

Hope this helps,
Bryan