Stronger effect / evidence
redorangeyellowgray
Weaker effect / evidence

Methyl alcohol

CAS: 67-56-1

How can this chemical affect my health?

Acute (Short Term) EffectsData sources

Toxic To Humans & Animals, priority yellow
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.
Irritates The Eyes, priority orange
Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.

Chronic (Long Term) EffectsData sources

Brain/nervous System Harm, priority gray
Brain/Nervous System Harm – Can cause damage to the nervous system including the brain.
Birth Defects, priority red
Birth Defects – Can cause harm to the developing child including birth defects, low birth weight and biological or behavioral problems that appear as the child grows.
Reproductive Harm, priority gray
Reproductive Harm – Can disrupt the male or female reproductive systems, changing sexual development, behavior or functions, decreasing fertility, or resulting in loss of the fetus during pregnancy.
Other Health Effects, priority orange
Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Endocrine Disruption, priority orange
Endocrine Disruption – Can interfere with hormone communication between cells which controls metabolism, development, growth, reproduction and behavior (the endocrine system).

Data sources

Direct Hazard » Brain/Nervous System Harm

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Neurotoxic
    G&L - Neurotoxic Chemicals
    Lancet: authors Philippe Grandjean & Phil Landrigan

Direct Hazard » Birth Defects

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Developmental toxicity
    CA EPA - Prop 65
    California Environmental Protection Agency (CA EPA)
  • Clear Evidence of Adverse Effects - Developmental Toxicity
    US NIH - Reproductive & Developmental Monographs
    US Department of Health & Human Services - National Institutes of Health (US NIH)
  • Pregnancy Risk Group C
    MAK
    MAK Commission of Germany (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)

Direct Hazard » Reproductive Harm

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Insufficient Evidence for a Conclusion - Reproductive Toxicity
    US NIH - Reproductive & Developmental Monographs
    US Department of Health & Human Services - National Institutes of Health (US NIH)
  • Reproductive toxicity category 2
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
  • H360 - May damage fertility or the unborn child [Toxic to reproduction - Category 1B]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan

Direct Hazard » Other Health Effects

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure - Category 1]
    EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Korea
    Republic of Korea - National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER)
  • H372 - Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Specific target organs/systemic toxicity following repeated exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organs/systemic toxicity following single exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Malaysia
    Malaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health
  • H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Australia
    Safe Work Australia
  • H370 - Causes damage to organs (unverified) [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure - Category 1]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure category 1
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)

Direct Hazard » Endocrine Disruption

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Potential Endocrine Disruptor
    TEDX - Potential Endocrine Disruptors
    The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX)
Close

Inherent HazardsData sources

Restricted List, priority gray
Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
Flammable, priority orange
Flammable – Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.

Data sources

Direct Hazard » Restricted List

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • HAPs subject to the Clean Air Act
    US EPA - Hazardous Air Pollutants
    US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
  • Candidate Chemical List
    CA SCP - Candidate Chemicals
    California Department of Toxic Substance Control (CA DTSC)
  • Substances selected for RMOA or hazard assessment
    EU - PACT-RMOA Substances
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • V3 2014 Substance of Concern List
    BIFMA - e3/level Annex B list of chemicals
    Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA)
  • Some Solvents
    GSPI - Six Classes of Problematic Chemicals
    Green Science Policy Institute (GSPI)
  • Substances restricted under REACH
    EU - REACH Annex XVII non-CMRs
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Ingredients that are Restricted for Use in Cosmetic Products
    Health Canada - Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
    Health Canada
  • Chemicals of High Concern
    MDH - Chemicals of High Concern and Priority Chemicals
    Minnesota Department of Public Health
  • CoHC List (non SVHC)
    CPA - Chemical Footprint
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • Formulated Consumer Products
    C2C Certified v4 Product Standard Restricted Substances List (RSL) - Effective July 1, 2022
    Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII)
  • 2019 Substance of Concern List
    BIFMA - e3/level Annex B list of chemicals
    Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA)
  • Annex III - Restricted Substances
    EU - Cosmetics Regulation
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Chemicals of Concern
    Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Red List of Chemicals of Concern
    Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
  • Priority Chemicals
    CEPN - Chemicals Prioritized for Elimination or Substitution
    Clean Electronics Production Network
  • Limit of harmful substances in industrial protective coatings (GB 30981-2020)
    China's limit standard for volatile organic compounds
    State Administration for Market Regulation - Standardization Administration of China
  • Restrictions for Manufacturing Process
    Google Manufacturing Restricted Substances Specification (v1.3)
    Google
  • Reportable Chemicals
    MA Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) listed substances
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
  • Cosmetics & Personal Care Products
    C2C Certified v4 Product Standard Restricted Substances List (RSL) - Effective July 1, 2022
    Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII)
  • Food Contact Chemicals Database Version 5.0
    Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL)
    Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL) - TIER 2
    Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • ZDHC - MRSL v2.0 Candidate List
    ZDHC - MRSL v2.0
    Zero Discharge of Hazardous Waste Chemicals Programme
  • FSAP Food Packaging Product Stewardship Considerations
    FSAP Food Packaging Product Stewardship Considerations
    Food Safety Alliance for Packaging (FSAP)
  • FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdb
    FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdb
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Methanol
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Cleaners & Degreasers RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • Food Packaging Forum Priority Substances List
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Food Service Ware RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • Restrictions in Manufacturing Processes
    Apple Regulated Substances Specification - Restrictions in Manufacturing Processes
    Apple Inc.
  • Reportable Substances and Future Restrictions in Manufacturing Processes
    Apple Regulated Substances Specification - Restrictions in Manufacturing Processes
    Apple Inc.
  • TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory - Active
    TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Active-Inactive)
    US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
  • GreenScreen List Translator LT-1
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Medical Supplies & Devices Silver-Gold RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)

Direct Hazard » Flammable

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 2]
    EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 2]
    GHS - Korea
    Republic of Korea - National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER)
  • Class B2 - Flammable liquids
    Québec CSST - WHMIS 1988
    Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
  • Flammable liquids category 2
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
  • H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 2]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 2]
    GHS - Malaysia
    Malaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health
  • H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 2]
    GHS - Australia
    Safe Work Australia
  • H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour (unverified) [Flammable liquids - Category 2]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Close

How does this chemical impact the environment?Data sources

Persistent, priority red
Persistent – Does not break down readily from natural processes.

Data sources

Direct Hazard » Persistent

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Persistent
    EC - CEPA DSL
    Environment Canada & Health Canada (EC)
Close

What safer alternatives are available for this chemical?

Find case studies related to substitutions for this chemical in SubsPORT, the substitution support portal.

How am I likely to be exposed to this chemical?

Toxic if swallowed
Ingestion
Toxic in contact with skin
Skin contact
Toxic if inhaled
Inhalation

How can I protect myself from exposure to this chemical in the workplace?

gloves
Handle with gloves
respirator
Respirator