Methanol

Synonyms: Methyl alcohol

CAS Number: 67-56-1

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79
80 89
90 100
55

Sources of exposure:

Industrial uses

Industrial solvents, fuels, windshield washer fluids

Description:

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, is a simple alcohol used as a solvent, fuel, and chemical manufacturing intermediate. It can also form naturally in small amounts during the breakdown of plant materials and may be present in certain foods and beverages. Exposure may occur through consumer products, industrial solvents, inhalation of vapors, or ingestion.

Health concerns:

Developmental Toxicity

May impact fetal development and birth outcomes.

Genotoxicity

May cause mutations or damage DNA in cells.

Neurotoxicity

May impact brain function or development.

Organ System Toxicity

May cause organ damage and disease.

Banned/restricted lists:

  • California Proposition 65 - OEHHA - developmental
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex III - Restricted
  • Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist - Restricted
  • REACH Annex XVII - Restrictions - Restricted under specified conditions

References

  1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Cheminformatics Modules, Computational Toxicology and Exposure Informatics (CompTox). California Department of Public Health. California Safe Cosmetics Reportable Ingredients List.

HOW MILLION MARKER SCORES CHEMICALS

Million Marker's Ingredient Hazard Scoring uses multiple chemical databases and a science-backed scoring system to compute hazard scores for thousands of chemicals found in consumer products and listed on ingredient labels.

We identified key chemicals based on a database compiling dozens of authoritative sources, screening tools, and QSAR models.

Hazard scores within 11 different health categories (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxicants, developmental toxicants, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, skin/eye/respiratory irritants, and ecotoxicity).

They are weighted based on several factors, including strength of evidence for adverse impacts in humans, severity, and potential contamination.

For more information on our scoring methodology visit this page.