Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 432 OF 2834

Main Title Assessment of Methyl Alcohol as a Potential Air Pollution Problem. Volume II.
Author Patterson, Robert M. ; Bornstein, Mark I. ; Garshick., Eric ;
CORP Author GCA Corp., Bedford, Mass. GCA Technology Div.;Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, N.C.
Year Published 1976
Report Number GCA-TR-75-32-G(2); EPA-68-02-1337;
Stock Number PB-258 354
Additional Subjects Methyl alcohol ; Air pollution ; Chemical properties ; Physical properties ; Public health ; Industrial wastes ; Chemical industry ; Combustion products ; Assessments ; Air pollution control ; Toxicity ; Concentration(Composition) ; Sources ; Humans ; Plants(Botany) ; Animals ; Wood products ; Solvents ; Antifreeze ; Incinerators ; Air pollution effects(Humans) ; Air pollution effects(Animals) ; Air pollution effects(Plants) ; Air pollution effects(Materials)
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
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Status
NTIS  PB-258 354 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 27p
Abstract
Methyl alcohol is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid. Traditionally it has been manufactured by the destructive distillation of wood. Modern manufacture is based on the catalytic reduction of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide with hydrogen. Some main uses of methyl alcohol are as a solvent, an antifreeze, and as a starting material for formaldehyde and other chemicals. Methyl alcohol poisoning occurs through inhalation of the vapor, although cases of poisoning through ingestion are not uncommon. Methyl alcohol emissions are estimated to be 1,242 million pounds/year, with solvent usage producing almost 90 percent of the total. Methyl alcohol is used as a solvent in many products including inks, dyes, water-proofing formulations and windshied cleaners. In addition, it is used throughout the chemical industry in extracting, washing, and crystallizing operations. Therefore, methyl alcohol emissions are produced by many small, geographically scattered sources. Two types of control devices presently used extensively by the industry to control hydrocarbon emissions are vapor recovery and incineration. Based on available health effects studies and expected maximum ambient concentrations presented in this report, it appears that methyl alcohol in air does not pose a health hazard to the general population nor does it pose other environmental hazards. It is, however, possible that consumer misuse of methyl alcohol, such as use in confined spaces, could cause untoward health effects on an individual basis.