[Vwdiesel] Vwdiesel Digest, Vol 38, Issue 50

[Chris Jude]

I sat in on the NBB Methanol Handling WebConference a few weeks ago, it was
somewhat useful.  But, the question of methanol's effects being cumulative
was brought up at the end, and the response was that the effects are NOT
cumulative, that your liver processes methanol fairly quickly, similar to
ethanol.  Not to say that it is not poisonous, but that the toxins do not
accumulate.  Also, the old tale of drinking ethanol (beer, whiskey, etc) to
counteract the effects of a methanol exposure is an effective method.
I tried to find the powerpoint, I believe I have it saved on my computer,
don't know how to send it to the group.   But another useful bit of
information was the exposure levels, for health and safety, in ppm
concentrations.  Methanol needs to be treated with great respect and safety,
but it may not be quite as scary as some say.
At the same time, there have been more homebrewing fires in the past year
than I've heard of in the 4 years I've been involved with biodiesel.  I'm
somewhat wary of the surge in popularity of homebrewing of late.  Safety is
paramount.

Chris
Carnation, WA



Methanol is a really nasty nerve toxin and its effects are
> cumulative.  Should avoid breathing fumes and absorption through the
> skin.  ALWAYS wear gloves.  Hayden
>
> On Dec 27, 2006, at 10:58 AM, LBaird119 at aol.com wrote:
>
> >   I"ve heard you have to be careful of the sodium methoxide
> > (methanole and lye mixture) but never heard of methanol being
> > so much of a hazard other than flamability.
> >      Loren
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>