Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes methyl alcohol, also known as methanol, as a colorless liquid with a strong odor. It is used in many industries, for example, methyl alcohol is used in solvents, deicers, and in the manufacturing of plastics, polyesters and other chemicals.
NIOSH reports that methyl alcohol is a poisonous substance that can be absorbed through the eyes, skin, lungs and digestive system. Overexposure can cause death. As such, workers in industries that use methyl alcohol may be harmed by exposure with the level of harm depending upon the dose, duration and work being done.
A physical danger of methyl alcohol shared by NIOSH includes its vapors may be heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect and stay in poorly-ventilated, low-lying or confined areas (e.g., sewers, basements, and tanks) allowing for hazardous concentrations to potentially develop quickly.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to methyl alcohol according to NIOSH include:
• Factory workers in plants that manufacture plastics
• Transportation workers exposed to the deicing of vehicles
• Workers who work in alternative fuel industries
• Workers exposed to certain solvents or cleaning agents
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about methyl alcohol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes methyl alcohol, also known as methanol, as a colorless liquid with a strong odor. It is used in many industries, for example, methyl alcohol is used in solvents, deicers, and in the manufacturing of plastics, polyesters and other chemicals.
NIOSH reports that methyl alcohol is a poisonous substance that can be absorbed through the eyes, skin, lungs and digestive system. Overexposure can cause death. As such, workers in industries that use methyl alcohol may be harmed by exposure with the level of harm depending upon the dose, duration and work being done.
A physical danger of methyl alcohol shared by NIOSH includes its vapors may be heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect and stay in poorly-ventilated, low-lying or confined areas (e.g., sewers, basements, and tanks) allowing for hazardous concentrations to potentially develop quickly.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to methyl alcohol according to NIOSH include:
• Factory workers in plants that manufacture plastics
• Transportation workers exposed to the deicing of vehicles
• Workers who work in alternative fuel industries
• Workers exposed to certain solvents or cleaning agents
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about methyl alcohol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
