What Moonshine Can You Run Your Car With?

Brow Beat In the new movie Lawless, brothers Jack Bondurant (Shia LaBeouf) and Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy) find themselves unexpectedly out of gas on a tense drive out of Franklin County, Va. Luckily, they’re booze-running bootleggers, and after emptying a mason jar of moonshine into the tank, their automobile is back up and running.

Can cars really run on moonshine? Only if it’s really strong stuff. To power a car, moonshine—in this case, illicit homemade whiskey—must have an extremely high alcohol content, at minimum 150 proof (or 75 percent alcohol by volume), or 190 proof for best results. During the Prohibition, moonshine could be as weak as 63 proof and as strong as 190 proof,

Alcohol has been used to fuel cars since the dawn of the modern automobile. Henry Ford’s Model T was equipped for running on ethanol as well as gasoline. And in recent years, the federal government has mandated that ethanol make up about 10 percent of most gasoline bought at the pump,

• Others drive on the more controversial E85, which is 85 percent alcohol.
• Some penny pinchers have even installed legal “moonshine” stills in their own backyards, to save on gas money.
• Practically any car could run on high-potency hooch, though the level of performance would vary.
• The Ford Model A driven in the historical novel Lawless is based on would run pretty smoothly, though it would lose about 30 percent of its horse power.

Most automobiles made prior to 2000 aren’t equipped to handle alcohol long-term, and fueling with ethanol can lead to leaks, rust, and corrosion, However, since alcohol has become a regular additive to gasoline, modern fuel systems have developed a much higher tolerance for the substance.

Can I run my car with alcohol?

What is ethanol? – Ethanol (ethyl alcohol), also found in alcoholic drinks, is produced by fermenting sugar solution. In the US, this means growing corn and using the starch produced. Grass, wood and agricultural waste can also be used to make “cellulosic” ethanol, Pure ethanol – 100% ethanol or E100 – could theoretically be used to power cars, but generally isn’t, for numerous reasons:

1. Ethanol is bad for cold-starting, because it doesn’t burn as quickly as gasoline. (It has a higher octane, if you’re interested.) Pure ethanol would be useless as fuel in the winter months.
2. There are no passenger cars designed to take E100 (but some racing cars are) so it could damage your car engine. Even Flexible-Fuel vehicles (FFVs) – which can run on petrol or ethanol – can only take up to E85,
3. 100% ethanol is hard to come by. Technically, it’s drinkable as a very strong alcoholic beverage.U.S. regulations require fuel alcohols to be undrinkable and diluted to 95.5%. And, unless it is mixed with petrol, ethanol would be subject to liquor tax/ alcohol duty,

Ethanol is therefore blended with petrol – usually 85% ethanol to 15% petrol, or E85 – to produce the most common biofuel in the States. The highest percentage of ethanol fuel sold in the US is E85, but in sunny Brazil it is E95 – starting the car in cold weather being less of an issue. Flex Fuel vehicles have yellow petrol caps in the US It is argued that E10 can be used in regular cars without the requirement for engine modification; but many have suggested that older cars can still be damaged by using even small amounts of ethanol in the fuel.

Can a car run on methanol?

Vehicle Fuel & Thermal Applications Methanol is an affordable substitute for gasoline and diesel in countries that are looking to transition away from fuels that result in high levels of air pollution. Methanol’s efficient combustion, safety, ease of distribution and wide availability around the world make it an attractive alternative fuel for transportation.

Methanol can be used as a transportation fuel in three ways: Additives or fuel blends – Methanol is used to manufacture methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive that reduces tailpipe air emissions, and to produce fuels like biodiesel which is a diesel alternative. By 2025, the average output of biodiesel and similar fuels is anticipated to increase by 30 per cent from 2019 levels.

Methanol is also used in gasoline blends around the world at high volume percentages (50-100 per cent), mid (15-30 per cent) and low blends (3-5 per cent). An early adopter, China has been using methanol and methanol blends since the 1980s. Both India and Denmark launched methanol-blend fuel stations in 2022, and other countries—including Israel, Germany, India, New Zealand, the U.K., and Italy—are at the assessment or near-commercial stage for low-level methanol fuel blending.

Fuel for passenger vehicles – In China, increasingly stringent air quality standards are supporting the adoption of methanol as a cleaner-burning vehicle fuel. By the end of 2022, approximately 110 M100 (100 per cent methanol fuel) filling stations were operating in China’s Shaanxi, Shanxi, Gansu and Guizhou provinces to service approximately 27,000 M100 taxis (running on 100 per cent methanol).

There were also 1,000 methanol hybrid passenger cars built by the Geely Group operating in China. Collectively, this demand represents approximately 520,000 tonnes of methanol per year. Fuel for heavy-duty vehicles – Methanol is a diesel substitute for heavy-duty vehicles. Commercial trucks are another emerging opportunity in China, with Geely developing the world’s first pure methanol combustion heavy-duty truck. As of 2022 there were 3,000 methanol heavy-duty trucks in operation in China.

Can alcohol be used as fuel?

Various alcohols are used as fuel for internal combustion engines, The first four aliphatic alcohols ( methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol ) are of interest as fuels because they can be synthesized chemically or biologically, and they have characteristics which allow them to be used in internal combustion engines.

The general chemical formula for alcohol fuel is C n H 2n+1 OH, Most methanol is produced from natural gas, although it can be produced from biomass using very similar chemical processes. Ethanol is commonly produced from biological material through fermentation processes. Biobutanol has the advantage in combustion engines in that its energy density is closer to gasoline than the simpler alcohols (while still retaining over 25% higher octane rating); however, biobutanol is currently more difficult to produce than ethanol or methanol.

When obtained from biological materials and/or biological processes, they are known as bioalcohols (e.g. “bioethanol”). There is no chemical difference between biologically produced and chemically produced alcohols. One advantage shared by the four major alcohol fuels is their high octane rating,

Is E85 a moonshine?

The starch within each kernel is converted to sugar; the sugar then gets mixed with yeast and water and is allowed to ferment. After that it gets distilled, where the end product is 200-proof grain alcohol. Think of it as industrial moonshine.

Which alcohol is best fuel?

The alcohols become more like petroleum fuels as their chemical weights increase. Methyl alcohol has the lowest combustion energy of all the fuels listed. However, it also has the lowest stoichiometric or chemically correct air-fuel ratio. Therefore, an engine burning methyl alcohol would produce the most power.

What alcohol is used as fuel?

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from various plant materials collectively known as ” biomass,” More than 98% of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol to oxygenate the fuel. Typically, gasoline contains E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), which reduces air pollution.

Biomass feedstocks are grown, collected, and transported to an ethanol production facility. Feedstocks are converted to ethanol at a production facility and then transported to a fuel terminal or end-user by rail, truck, or barge. E10 is sourced from fuel terminals whereas E85 is sourced from a terminal or directly from an ethanol production facility. E15 is available from fuel terminals or through a blender pump dispenser that draws from E10 and E85 tanks at a station.

Can I mix methanol with petrol?

Explainer: Methanol is good in petrol, bad for engine when excess The ‘dirty petrol’ currently in Nigeria, which the government has been trying to take out of circulation, has been noted to contain methanol. The (NMDPRA) had said a methanol quantity above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the petrol supply chain.

1. This specification and what was found, was not disclosed.
2. However, having methanol in the fuel supply is not unexpected; it only has to be within certain limits, which for Nigeria has not been made public even though different countries also have their methanol limits.
3. Methanol is a regular additive in petrol and is usually blended in an acceptable quantity.

To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit,” NMDPRA said. Adding alcohols such as ethanol and methanol to petrol allows the fuel to combust more completely due to the presence of oxygen, which increases the combustion efficiency and reduces air pollution, as noted by a Science Direct article.

However, when in excess, as noted by another publication the corrosive effects of methanol become a concern. More than half of the cylinder blocks for car engines are made from aluminum, which incidentally is very prone to corrosion by methanol, which would also affect other components such as gaskets and rubber hoses.

This, however, becomes a problem only as the methanol content in a fuel becomes higher than permitted. When the engines and components get corroded due to substances such as methanol, the outcomes include damage to the engine, which if not detected and rectified where possible, could render it useless.

1. Read also: The current incidence of methanol in Nigeria’s petrol can be likened to something good being abused, and in the end, giving a bad outcome.
2. It can also be seen as a cheap additive being added in excess to cut costs on petrol that would still be sold at the standard price, hence additional profit-making as an objective.

According to the Methanol Institute, methanol is a clean-burning, high octane blending component for gasoline that is made from alternative non-petroleum energy sources such as natural gas, coal, and biomass. Methanol with co-solvents has been commercially blended into gasoline (petrol) at various times and locations since the late 1970s.

In many regions of the globe, the blending of oxygenates such as alcohols and ethers are controlled by government regulations that specify the limits for the various oxygenates allowed in commercial gasoline. As for methanol blending, the maximum limit in gasoline had generally been established based on the compatibility of the non-metal materials of the older vehicles on the road at the time that the regulation was being established.

Although fuel system material compatibility (metals and non-metals) concerns during the commercial introduction of methanol blending during the early 1980s had initially limited methanol content to 5 percent or less in Europe and US markets. The advancement of fuel systems materials and the improvement of corrosion inhibitors to address the growing use of alcohol blends such as ethanol (up to 25% in Brazil) in global markets allows today’s vehicles on the road to use much higher levels of methanol with little risk of incompatibility or performance degradation, according to the Methanol Institute’s publication.

Is methanol or ethanol better for car?

Fun Facts –

Methanol-powered vehicles can decrease emissions of greenhouse gas from around 25% and 35%, and emissions are also less reactive. The cleanest and most affordable octane source on the market today is ethanol, which displaces toxic aromatic products such as benzene and toluene. Producing 20 barrels of ethanol requires just 1 barrel of crude oil. Ethanol is used in paints as preservatives because it is an effective solvent and also used in cleansing products for preventing the breach of organisms.

: Difference Between Ethanol and Methanol

Is ethanol or methanol better for car fuel?

This article is about methanol used as a fuel. For other alcohols used as fuels, see alcohol fuel, Methanol fuel is an alternative biofuel for internal combustion and other engines, either in combination with gasoline or independently. Methanol ( C H 3 O H ) is less expensive to produce sustainably than ethanol fuel, although it produces more toxic effects than ethanol and has lower energy density than gasoline,

1. Methanol is safer for the environment than gasoline, it is an anti-freeze, it keeps the engine clean, it has a higher flashpoint in case of fire, and it is the equivalent of super high-octane gasoline in terms of the resulting horsepower,
2. It can readily be used in most modern engines with a simple software setting tweak and occasionally a change in a cheap fuel seal or line.

To prevent vapor lock in any possible circumstances due to being a simple, pure fuel, a small percentage of other fuel or certain additives can be included. Methanol (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group ) may be made from hydrocarbon or renewable resources, in particular natural gas and biomass respectively.

Can vodka be used as fuel?

Vodka like all other alcoholic drinks is hydroscopic so if you put some in your (gas) petrol tank then it will get into the fuel system and make the engine misfire or stop running altogether. don’t do it.

What octane is alcohol?

Does higher octane gas have less ethanol? – Don’t be misled into thinking higher octane gas contains less ethanol. In fact, it has more! The octane rating of pure ethanol is 100, but when it’s blended with gasoline, it performs as if it’s 112. In other words, higher-octane blends — Petro Canada’s 94 and Esso’s 93 — use more ethanol, not less.

Is moonshine 100% ethanol?

Is Moonshine 100 Percent Alcohol? – No, moonshine is not 100% alcohol. Generally, moonshine falls between 40% and 80% alcohol by volume, but the length of time and process used in distilling it will impact the content. It’s important to note that high alcohol content can have severely detrimental effects on the human body, so drinking 100% alcohol is very dangerous.

Is ethanol basically moonshine?

Moonshine is a common slang term for home-distilled alcohol, especially in places where this production is illegal. The name is often assumed to be derived from the fact that moonshine producers and smugglers would often work at night (i.e. under the light of the moon) to avoid arrest for producing illegal liquor, The 1811 edition of the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose, defines “moonshine” as follows: “A matter or mouthful of moonshine; a trifle, nothing. The white brandy smuggled on the coasts of Kent and Sussex, and the gin in the north of Yorkshire, are also called moonshine.” It has been suggested that the term might derive from smugglers’ explaining away their boxes and barrels as “mere moonshine ” (that is, nothing). Moonshine is made by yeast fermenting a sugar source to produce ethanol and then separating the alcohol from the fermenting mixture (the mash) through distillation using a still, Because of its illegal nature in many states and simple production, moonshine is usually not aged in barrels as are other, similarly-produced liquors such as whisky or bourbon, and it sometimes contains impurities, off flavors, and toxins such as methanol that the more sophisticated distillation methods of commercial distilleries are able to control. In popular culture, moonshine is usually presented as being extremely strong and in North America is commonly associated with the Southern United States, and Appalachia.

Can a combustion engine run on alcohol?

Quick Facts –

Alcohols burn more completely then petroleumbased fuels, thus increasing combustion efficiency. Advantages of mixing alcohol with gasoline are that alcohol tends to increase the octane rating and reduce carbon monoxide and other tailpipe emissions. There are many disadvantages to using alcohols, particularly methyl and ethyl alcohol. Alcohols may corrode certain materials used in engines.

Alcohol has been used as a fuel for internal combustion engines since their invention. Reports on the use of alcohol as a motor fuel were published in 1907 and detailed research was conducted in the 1920s and 1930s. Historically, the level of interest in using alcohol as a motor fuel has followed cycles of petroleum-based fuel shortages and/or low feed-grain prices.

• More recently, the use of alcohol and other renewable fuels has been driven by governmental mandates to reduce engine emissions and increase renewable fuel use.
• Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is the primary domestically produced renewable fuel in the U.S. today.
• Currently, most U.S.
• Ethanol production is from corn, where the starch in the corn kernel is converted to ethanol.

Ethanol can also be made from lignocellulose, a structural material that comprises much of the mass of plants. Ethanol produced in this manner is known as cellulosic ethanol and can use corn stover, grasses, wood chips, and other plant materials as feedstock.

• The properties of methyl, ethyl, and butyl alcohol are compared with octane (high quality gasoline) and hexadecane (high quality diesel fuel) in Table 1.
• Note that octane and hexadecane (petroleum fuels) have higher boiling points, lower latent heats, and are insoluble in water.
• The alcohols become more like petroleum fuels as their chemical weights increase.

Methyl alcohol has the lowest combustion energy of all the fuels listed. However, it also has the lowest stoichiometric or chemically correct air-fuel ratio. Therefore, an engine burning methyl alcohol would produce the most power. It also is possible to take advantage of the higher octane ratings of methyl (and ethyl) alcohol and increase the engine compression ratio.

Is burning alcohol toxic?

The Full Story – The old-fashioned way of getting drunk is simple: drink too much alcohol. A novel way people have been consuming alcohol? “Smoke” or “vape” your alcohol instead. Inhaling alcohol vapors can harm the brain and lungs and intoxicate someone very quickly, so it is very important to be aware of the dangers associated with it.

When people “smoke” or “vape” alcohol, they do so by heating it up or pouring it over dry ice. There are even devices marketed to young people to make vaping alcohol seem refined and sophisticated. This makes a vapor that they inhale into their lungs. Inhaling alcohol vapor causes a rapid and intense “high.” Absorption through the lungs provides almost instant delivery of the alcohol to the bloodstream and the brain; the effects are felt very quickly.

Small amounts of inhaled alcohol may make a person much more intoxicated than drinking the alcohol instead. Vaping alcohol bypasses the digestive system, so some believe that alcohol calories are not absorbed. This claim makes smoking alcohol very attractive to teens and young adults that think they can get “buzzed” without consuming calories from drinking it.

The increased absorption of alcohol can harm the brain. This is a particular hazard to teens and young adults, because their brains have not finished developing yet. Because excessive drinking of alcohol can irritate the stomach and cause vomiting, this mechanism can limit the amount ultimately consumed by preventing more absorption. Vaping alcohol, however, bypasses the digestive tract and therefore would not provide the same warning signs (e.g. vomiting) that could help indicate to someone they’ve consumed too much. You might not realize it if too much is inhaled, and the effects can be very serious, including passing out, decreased breathing, and injuries from falls or drunk-driving accidents. The heated or ultra-cooled (by dry ice) vapor itself may also cause lung injury that could lead to long term breathing problems.

So far, no human studies have been published about the health effects of inhaling alcohol. (There are studies that demonstrate that alcohol is absorbed from the bloodstream after inhalation.) Studies in rats show several problems.

In rats, chronic alcohol inhalation leads to more and more alcohol-seeking behaviors. It also increases anxiety behaviors in rats. It can be addictive. Inhaling alcohol can cause changes in the brain; rats need higher and higher doses to produce the same drunk feeling. An alcohol withdrawal syndrome can also occur. This causes symptoms of anxiety, tremors, sweating, chills, and seizures.

Take Home Message:

Alcohol can be absorbed into your bloodstream by inhaling alcohol vapors. Vapors are produced by heating up alcohol or pouring it over dry ice. People who inhale alcohol vapors get drunk very quickly, because the alcohol goes straight to the brain. Heated or super-cooled alcohol vapor can injure the lungs.

Nicole Reid, RN, BSN, EdM Certified Specialist in Poison Information

What is the cleanest burning alcohol?

DENATURED ALCOHOL – Denatured Alcohol is a clean burning fuel that produces an odorless and smokeless flame used in marine stoves and other alcohol-burning appliances. Do not use in any stove unless specified as an alcohol fuel stove. Not for Sale In California. Sunnyside does not share your personal information when visiting our website or receive financial information when products are purchased online.

Can I put ethanol in my car?

This seems like a rather strange question. Is ethanol-free gas bad for your car? Isn’t that the same gas we all used before they started putting ethanol in our gas en-masse in the 2000s? Well, technically, yes it is. I mean, it may not be exactly the same (because there are all sorts of modern detergents and additives that get developed over the years). But by and large, it’s the same stuff. So why ask what would seem to be such a simple question? We know not the contents of the human heart.I mean.people ask these kind of unexpected questions all the time. And we’ve been asked this before. People are used to thinking about the gas they buy as being ethanol gasoline.

So when they see ethanol-free gas, they think it’s abnormal now. The short answer is, no, ethanol-free gasoline is not bad for your car. Most cars today can run on ethanol gas blends up to E15 (15% ethanol) and on non-ethanol gasoline. And flex fuel vehicles can handle up to E85 (85% ethanol) without a problem.

This isn’t to say that there isn’t a kind of gas that IS bad for your car. There is at least one kind that can cause problems.

Why do drag cars use methanol?

Why do race car drivers love it? – Most race car drivers prefer fuel that is methanol- or ethanol-based, and the reason is simple, really. Overall, alcohol-based fuel has a high octane rating which increases fuel efficiency. Methanol burns cleaner and cooler, is less flammable, and less expensive than gasoline.

• While methanol gets fewer miles per gallon than gasoline, it has that higher octane level.
• Race car engines are different than those in a regular car.
• They are built to get more power out of fuels with less energy.
• How? They adjust their air to fuel ratio.
• Methanol also conserves heat inside an engine better than gasoline can.

An intercooler isn’t needed as much in cars running on methanol, which makes its performance in turbocharging and supercharging superb. On the other hand, ethanol was slowly introduced to the mix in 2006 when Indy Racing League officials blended 10 percent ethanol to the methanol they were using in race cars.

1. In 2007, they started using 100% ethanol.
2. Ethanol is completely renewable and reduces greenhouse emissions by 59%.
3. The switch to this type of fuel by NASCAR reduced the amount of fuel used by 20,000 gallons in one year.
4. Pistons in a race car engine can travel a mile a minute, and high octane helps to reduce engine knocking and pinging.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_fuel http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ctrp-1201-alcohol-fuel-basics/ https://www.fuelfreedom.org/hot-rod-explains-race-car-drivers-love-methanol/ http://thinkbioenergy.com/why-professional-racecar-drivers-choose-ethanol/ https://www.sunoco.com/sunoco-racing/nascar/

Is burning methanol toxic?

Methanol: Systemic Agent

CAS #: 67-56-1 RTECS #: PC1400000 UN #: 1230 (Guide 131)

Common Names:

Carbinol Methyl alcohol Wood alcohol

APPEARANCE : Colorless watery liquid. DESCRIPTION : Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source. It also occurs naturally in humans, animals, and plants. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit juices, fermented beverages, and diet soft drinks containing aspartame are the primary sources of methanol in the human body. Most methanol poisonings occur as a result of drinking beverages contaminated with methanol or from drinking methanol-containing products. In the industrial setting, inhalation of high concentrations of methanol vapor and absorption of methanol through the skin are as effective as the oral route in producing toxic effects. The characteristic pungent (alcohol) odor of methanol does not provide sufficient warning of low levels of exposure. METHODS OF DISSEMINATION :

Indoor Air: Methanol can be released into indoor air as a liquid spray (aerosol). Water: Methanol can be used to contaminate water. Food: Methanol may be used to contaminate food. Outdoor Air: Methanol can be released into outdoor air as a liquid spray (aerosol). Agricultural: If methanol is released into the air as a liquid spray (aerosol), it has the potential to contaminate agricultural products.

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE : Methanol can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact. Ingestion is an important route of exposure.

GENERAL INFORMATION : First Responders should use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering an area with an unknown contaminant or when entering an area where the concentration of the contaminant is unknown. Level A protection should be used until monitoring results confirm the contaminant and the concentration of the contaminant. NOTE: Safe use of protective clothing and equipment requires specific skills developed through training and experience. LEVEL A: (RED ZONE) : Select when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required. This is the maximum protection for workers in danger of exposure to unknown chemical hazards or levels above the IDLH or greater than the AEGL-2.

A NIOSH-certified CBRN full-face-piece SCBA operated in a pressure-demand mode or a pressure-demand supplied air hose respirator with an auxiliary escape bottle. A Totally-Encapsulating Chemical Protective (TECP) suit that provides protection against CBRN agents. Chemical-resistant gloves (outer). Chemical-resistant gloves (inner). Chemical-resistant boots with a steel toe and shank. Coveralls, long underwear, and a hard hat worn under the TECP suit are optional items.

LEVEL B: (RED ZONE) : Select when the highest level of respiratory protection is necessary but a lesser level of skin protection is required. This is the minimum protection for workers in danger of exposure to unknown chemical hazards or levels above the IDLH or greater than AEGL-2.

A NIOSH-certified CBRN full-face-piece SCBA operated in a pressure-demand mode or a pressure-demand supplied air hose respirator with an auxiliary escape bottle. A hooded chemical-resistant suit that provides protection against CBRN agents. Chemical-resistant gloves (outer). Chemical-resistant gloves (inner). Chemical-resistant boots with a steel toe and shank. Coveralls, long underwear, a hard hat worn under the chemical-resistant suit, and chemical-resistant disposable boot-covers worn over the chemical-resistant suit are optional items.

LEVEL C: (YELLOW ZONE) : Select when the contaminant and concentration of the contaminant are known and the respiratory protection criteria factors for using Air Purifying Respirators (APR) or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) are met. This level is appropriate when decontaminating patient/victims.

A NIOSH-certified CBRN tight-fitting APR with a canister-type gas mask or CBRN PAPR for air levels greater than AEGL-2. A NIOSH-certified CBRN PAPR with a loose-fitting face-piece, hood, or helmet and a filter or a combination organic vapor, acid gas, and particulate cartridge/filter combination or a continuous flow respirator for air levels greater than AEGL-1. A hooded chemical-resistant suit that provides protection against CBRN agents. Chemical-resistant gloves (outer). Chemical-resistant gloves (inner). Chemical-resistant boots with a steel toe and shank. Escape mask, face shield, coveralls, long underwear, a hard hat worn under the chemical-resistant suit, and chemical-resistant disposable boot-covers worn over the chemical-resistant suit are optional items.

LEVEL D: (GREEN ZONE) : Select when the contaminant and concentration of the contaminant are known and the concentration is below the appropriate occupational exposure limit or less than AEGL-1 for the stated duration times.

Limited to coveralls or other work clothes, boots, and gloves.

CHEMICAL DANGERS :

Methanol reacts violently with strong oxidants, causing a fire and explosion hazard.

EXPLOSION HAZARDS :

Mixtures of methanol vapor and air are explosive. Lower explosive (flammable) limit in air (LEL), 6.0%; upper explosive (flammable) limit in air (UEL), 36%. Agent presents a vapor explosion and poison (toxic) hazard indoors, outdoors, or in sewers. Run-off to sewers may create an explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated.

FIRE FIGHTING INFORMATION :

Methanol is highly flammable. The agent will be easily ignited by heat, sparks, or flames. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases. Vapors may travel to the source of ignition and flash back. Run-off to sewers may create a fire hazard. Caution: The agent has a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fires may be inefficient. For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol-resistant foam. For large fires, use water spray, fog, or alcohol-resistant foam. Move containers from the fire area if it is possible to do so without risk to personnel. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the agent. Use water spray or fog; do not use straight streams. For fire involving tanks or car/trailer loads, fight the fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after the fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks. Always stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from the area and let the fire burn. Run-off from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. If the situation allows, control and properly dispose of run-off (effluent).

INITIAL ISOLATION AND PROTECTIVE ACTION DISTANCES :

If a tank, rail car, or tank truck is involved in a fire, isolate it for 0.5 mi (800 m) in all directions; also consider initial evacuation for 0.5 mi (800 m) in all directions. This agent is not included in the DOT ERG 2004 Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances. In the DOT ERG 2004 orange-bordered section of the guidebook, there are public safety recommendations to isolate a methanol (Guide 131) spill or leak area immediately for at least 150 ft (50 m) in all directions.

PHYSICAL DANGERS :

Methanol vapors may be heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect and stay in poorly-ventilated, low-lying, or confined areas (e.g., sewers, basements, and tanks). Hazardous concentrations may develop quickly in enclosed, poorly-ventilated, or low-lying areas. Keep out of these areas. Stay upwind. Liquid agent is lighter than water.

NFPA 704 Signal :

Health: 1 Flammability: 3 Reactivity: 0 Special:

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS :

OSHA: 91 NIOSH: 2000, 3800

ADDITIONAL SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS INFORMATION : References are provided for the convenience of the reader and do not imply endorsement by NIOSH.

AIR MATRIX Allen TM, Falconer TM, Cisper ME, Borgerding AJ, Wilkerson CW Jr., Real-time analysis of methanol in air and water by membrane introduction mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 73(20):4830-4835.De Paula PP, Santos E, De Freitas FT, De Andrade JB, Determination of methanol and ethanol by gas chromatography following air sampling onto florisil cartridges and their concentrations at urban sites in the three largest cities in Brazil. Talanta 49(2):245-252. Leibrock E, Slemr J, Method for measurement of volatile oxygenated hydrocarbons in ambient air. Atmos Environ 31(20):3329-3339. Marley NA, Gaffney JS, A comparison of flame ionization and ozone chemiluminescence for the determination of atmospheric hydrocarbons. Atmos Environ 32(8):1435-1444. NIOSH, NMAM Method 2000 Methanol. In: NIOSH Manual of analytical methods.4th ed. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 94-113. OSHA, Methyl Alcohol Method 91. Salt Lake City, UT.U.S. Department of Labor, Organic Methods Evaluation Branch, OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center. Qin T, Xu X, Polak T, Pacakova V, Stulik K, Jech L, A simple method for the trace determination of methanol, ethanol, acetone, and pentane in human breath and in the ambient air by preconcentration on solid sorbents followed by gas chromatography. Talanta 44(9):1683-1690. Reichert J, Coerdt W, Ache HJ, Development of a surface acoustic wave sensor array for the detection of methanol in fuel vapours. Sens Actuators B: Chem 13(1-3):293-296. Tyras H, Spectrophotometric determination of methyl alcohol in the atmosphere. Z Gesamte Hyg 35(2):96-97. OTHER No references were identified for this sampling matrix for this agent. SOIL MATRIX Poole SK, Poole CF, Chromatographic models for the sorption of neutral organic compounds by soil from water and air. J Chromatogr A 845(1-2):381-400. SURFACES Almuzara C, Cos O, Baeza M, Gabriel D, Valero F, Methanol determination in Pichia pastoris cultures by flow injection analysis. Biotechnol Lett 24(5):413-417. WATER Blanco M, Coello J, Iturriaga H, Maspoch S, Porcel M, Simultaneous enzymatic spectrophotometric determination of ethanol and methanol by use of artificial neural networks for calibration. Anal Chim Acta 398(1):83-92.Martinezsegura G, Rivera MI, Garcia LA, Methanol analysis by gas-chromatography–comparative-study using 3 different columns. J Agric Univ Puerto Rico 69(2):135-144. Pettersson J, Roeraade J, Quantitative accuracy in the gas chromatographic analysis of solvent mixtures. J Chromatogr A 985(1-2):21-27. Wilson LA, Ding JH, Woods AE, Gas-chromatographic determination and pattern-recognition analysis of methanol and fusel oil concentrations in whiskeys. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 74(2):248-256.

TIME COURSE : Adverse health effects from methanol poisoning may not become apparent until after an asymptomatic period of 1 to 72 hours. EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM (LESS THAN 8-HOURS) EXPOSURE : Methanol’s toxicity is due to its metabolic products. The by-products of methanol metabolism cause an accumulation of acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis), blindness, and death. Initial adverse health effects due to methanol poisoning include drowsiness, a reduced level of consciousness (CNS depression), confusion, headache, dizziness, and the inability to coordinate muscle movement (ataxia). Other adverse health effects may include nausea, vomiting (emesis), and heart and respiratory (cardiopulmonary) failure. Prognosis is poor in patient/victims with coma or seizure and severe metabolic acidosis (pH <7). Early on after methanol exposure, there may be a relative absence of adverse health effects. This does not imply insignificant toxicity. Methanol toxicity worsens as the degree of metabolic acidosis increases, and thus, becomes more severe as the time between exposure and treatment increases. EYE EXPOSURE :

Irritation, redness, and pain.

INGESTION EXPOSURE :

Ingestion of methanol may cause a wide range of adverse health effects:

Neurological: headache, dizziness, agitation, acute mania, amnesia, decreased level of consciousness including coma, and seizure. Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, lack of an appetite (anorexia), severe abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding (hemorrhage), diarrhea, liver function abnormalities, and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Ophthalmologic: visual disturbances, blurred vision, sensitivity to light (photophobia), visual hallucinations (misty vision, skin over the eyes, snowstorm, dancing spots, flashes), partial to total loss of vision, and rarely eye pain. Visual examination may reveal abnormal findings. Fixed dilated pupils are a sign of severe exposure to methanol. Other: Electrolyte imbalances. Kidney failure, blood in the urine (hematuria), and muscle death at the cellular level (rhabdomyolysis) have been reported in severe poisonings. Fatal cases often present with fast heart rate (tachycardia) or slow heart rate (bradycardia) and an increased rate of respiration. Low blood pressure (hypotension) and respiratory arrest occur when death is imminent.

INHALATION EXPOSURE : SKIN EXPOSURE :

Irritation. See Ingestion Exposure.

INTRODUCTION : The purpose of decontamination is to make an individual and/or their equipment safe by physically removing toxic substances quickly and effectively. Care should be taken during decontamination, because absorbed agent can be released from clothing and skin as a gas. Your Incident Commander will provide you with decontaminants specific for the agent released or the agent believed to have been released. DECONTAMINATION CORRIDOR : The following are recommendations to protect the first responders from the release area:

Position the decontamination corridor upwind and uphill of the hot zone. The warm zone should include two decontamination corridors. One decontamination corridor is used to enter the warm zone and the other for exiting the warm zone into the cold zone. The decontamination zone for exiting should be upwind and uphill from the zone used to enter. Decontamination area workers should wear appropriate PPE. See the PPE section of this card for detailed information. A solution of detergent and water (which should have a pH value of at least 8 but should not exceed a pH value of 10.5) should be available for use in decontamination procedures. Soft brushes should be available to remove contamination from the PPE. Labeled, durable 6-mil polyethylene bags should be available for disposal of contaminated PPE.

INDIVIDUAL DECONTAMINATION : The following methods can be used to decontaminate an individual:

Decontamination of First Responder:

Begin washing PPE of the first responder using soap and water solution and a soft brush. Always move in a downward motion (from head to toe). Make sure to get into all areas, especially folds in the clothing. Wash and rinse (using cold or warm water) until the contaminant is thoroughly removed. Remove PPE by rolling downward (from head to toe) and avoid pulling PPE off over the head. Remove the SCBA after other PPE has been removed. Place all PPE in labeled durable 6-mil polyethylene bags.

Decontamination of Patient/Victim:

Remove the patient/victim from the contaminated area and into the decontamination corridor. Remove all clothing (at least down to their undergarments) and place the clothing in a labeled durable 6-mil polyethylene bag. Thoroughly wash and rinse (using cold or warm water) the contaminated skin of the patient/victim using a soap and water solution. Be careful not to break the patient/victim’s skin during the decontamination process, and cover all open wounds. Cover the patient/victim to prevent shock and loss of body heat. Move the patient/victim to an area where emergency medical treatment can be provided.

GENERAL INFORMATION : Initial treatment is primarily supportive of respiratory and cardiovascular function. The goal of treatment is to either prevent the conversion of methanol to toxic metabolites or to rapidly remove the toxic metabolites and correct metabolic and fluid abnormalities. ANTIDOTE : Fomepizole and ethanol are effective antidotes against methanol toxicity. Fomepizole or ethanol should be administered as soon as possible once the patient/victim has been admitted to a medical care facility. See Long Term Implications: Medical Treatment for further instruction. EYE :

Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure. Immediately wash eyes with large amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.

INGESTION :

Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure. Ensure that the patient/victim has an unobstructed airway. Do not induce vomiting (emesis). Seek medical attention immediately.

INHALATION :

Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure. Evaluate respiratory function and pulse. Ensure that the patient/victim has an unobstructed airway. If shortness of breath occurs or breathing is difficult (dyspnea), administer oxygen. Assist ventilation as required. Always use a barrier or bag-valve-mask device. If breathing has ceased (apnea), provide artificial respiration. Seek medical attention immediately.

SKIN :

Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure. See the Decontamination section for patient/victim decontamination procedures. Seek medical attention immediately.

MEDICAL TREATMENT : Antidotes fomepizole or ethanol should be administered intravenously as soon as possible to block the conversion of methanol to formic acid and prevent acidosis. Fomepizole is preferred as its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated, and its therapeutic dose is more easily maintained. Once the patient/victim has become acidotic, administration of fomepizole or ethanol may not provide much benefit, but they may be administered at the discretion of the physician in charge. Hemodialysis is the most effective form of treatment for an acidotic patient/victim. Folinic acid (leucovorin) should also be administered intravenously to increase the rate at which formate is metabolized into less toxic chemicals. DELAYED EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE : The most common permanent adverse health effects following severe methanol poisoning are damage to or death of the nerve leading from the eye to the brain (optic neuropathy or atrophy), resulting in blindness; disease caused by damage to a particular region of the brain, resulting in difficulty walking and moving properly (Parkinsonism); damage to the brain caused by exposure to toxins, resulting in abnormal thought (encephalopathy); and damage to the peripheral nervous system. EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OR REPEATED EXPOSURE : Methanol is not suspected to be a carcinogen. Chronic or repeated exposure to methanol is suspected to be a developmental toxicity risk. It is unknown whether chronic or repeated exposure to methanol is a reproductive toxicity risk. Methanol may cause birth defects of the central nervous system in humans. Chronic poisoning from repeated exposure to methanol vapor may produce inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis), recurrent headaches, giddiness, insomnia, stomach disturbances, and visual failure. The most noted health consequences of longer-term exposure to lower levels of methanol are a broad range of effects on the eye. Inflammatory changes and irritation of the skin (dermatitis), occurs with chronic or repeated exposure to methanol.

INCIDENT SITE :

Consult with the Incident Commander regarding the agent dispersed, dissemination method, level of PPE required, location, geographic complications (if any), and the approximate number of remains. Coordinate responsibilities and prepare to enter the scene as part of the evaluation team along with the FBI HazMat Technician, local law enforcement evidence technician, and other relevant personnel. Begin tracking remains using waterproof tags.

RECOVERY AND ON-SITE MORGUE :

Wear PPE until all remains are deemed free of contamination. Establish a preliminary (holding) morgue. Gather evidence, and place it in a clearly labeled impervious container. Hand any evidence over to the FBI. Remove and tag personal effects. Perform a thorough external evaluation and a preliminary identification check. See the Decontamination section for decontamination procedures. Decontaminate remains before they are removed from the incident site.

See Guidelines for Mass Fatality Management During Terrorist Incidents Involving Chemical Agents, U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM), November, 2001 for detailed recommendations.

NIOSH REL :

STEL (skin): 250 ppm (325 mg/m 3 ) TWA (skin): 200 ppm (260 mg/m 3 )

OSHA PEL :

TWA (8-hour): 200 ppm (260 mg/m 3 )

ACGIH TLV :

STEL (skin): 250 ppm TLV (skin): 200 ppm

NIOSH IDLH : 6,000 ppm DOE TEEL :

TEEL-0: 250 mg/m 3 TEEL-1: 694 mg/m 3 TEEL-2: 2,750 mg/m 3 TEEL-3: 9,300 mg/m 3

AIHA ERPG :

ERPG-1: 200 ppm ERPG-2: 1,000 ppm ERPG-3: 5,000 ppm

Acute Exposure Guidelines

	10 min	30 min	60 min	4 hr	8 hr
AEGL 1 (discomfort, non-disabling) – ppm	670 ppm	670 ppm	530 ppm	340 ppm	270 ppm
AEGL 2 (irreversible or other serious, long-lasting effects or impaired ability to escape) – ppm	11,000 ppm*	4,000 ppm	2,100 ppm	730 ppm	520 ppm
AEGL 3 (life-threatening effects or death) – ppm	**	14,000 ppm*	7,200 ppm*	2,400 ppm	1,600 ppm

Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) = 55,000 ppm * = > 10% LEL; ** = > 50% LEL AEGL 3 – 10 min = ** 40,000 ppm For values denoted as * safety consideration against the hazard(s) of explosion(s) must be taken into account For values denoted as ** extreme safey considerations against the hazard(s) of explosion(s) must be taken into account Level of Distinct Order Awareness (LOA) = 8.9 ppm IMPORTANT NOTE: Interim AEGLs are established following review and consideration by the National Advisory Committee for AEGLs (NAC/AEGL) of public comments on Proposed AEGLs. Interim AEGLs are available for use by organizations while awaiting NRC/NAS peer review and publication of Final AEGLs. Changes to Interim values and Technical Support Documents may occur prior to publication of Final AEGL values. In some cases, revised Interim values may be posted on this Web site, but the revised Interim Technical Support Document for the chemical may be subject to change. (Further information is available through ).

Can alcohol be used as lighter fluid?

Charcoal lighter fluid is a flammable fluid used to accelerate the ignition of charcoal in a barbecue grill. It can either be petroleum based (e.g., mineral spirits) or alcohol based (usually methanol or ethanol).

What cars can run on ethanol?

Drivetrain: RWD

Vehicle	Fuel Type
Chevrolet Silverado 2WD 2023	Ethanol (E85)
Chevrolet Silverado 4WD 2023	Ethanol (E85)
Ford Explorer AWD FFV 2023	Ethanol (E85)
Ford F150 Pickup 2WD FFV 2023	Ethanol (E85)

Does alcohol burn hotter than gasoline?

The ethanol used in today’s blended gasoline burns hotter than plain gasoline and it does not provide the same BTU’s that gasoline does.