EPA 400-F-92-009
August 1994
Fact Sheet OMS-7
Methanol Basics
What is Methanol?
Methanol is the simplest alcohol, containing one carbon atom. It
is a colorless, tasteless liquid with a very faint odor and is
commonly known as "wood alcohol."
Methanol is one of a number of fuels that could substitute for
gasoline or diesel fuel in passenger cars, light trucks, and
heavy-duty trucks and buses.
Why Consider Methanol?
Methanol's physical and chemical characteristics result in
several inherent advantages as an automotive fuel:
LOW POLLUTION
Emissions from methanol cars are low in reactive hydrocarbons
(which form smog) and in toxic compounds. Methanol-fueled trucks
and buses emit almost no particulate matter (which cause smoke
and odor, and can also be carcinogenic), and much less nitrogen
oxides than their diesel-fueled counterparts.
FUEL SUPPLY OPTIONS
Methanol can be manufactured from a variety of carbon-based
feedstocks such as natural gas, coal, and biomass (e.g., wood).
Use of methanol would diversify the country's fuel supply and
reduce its dependence on imported petroleum.
FIRE SAFETY
Methanol is much less flammable than gasoline
and results in less severe fires when it does ignite.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
Methanol is a high-octane fuel that offers excellent acceleration
and vehicle power.
ECONOMICALLY ATTRACTIVE
With economies of scale, methanol could be produced, distributed,
and sold to consumers at prices competitive with gasoline.
Current Methanol Uses
Because of its outstanding performance and fire safety
characteristics, methanol is the only fuel used in
Indianapolis-type race cars. Following a series of methanol
vehicle development and demonstration programs throughout the
1980's, a limited number of methanol passenger cars and buses are
now commercially available. There are approximately 14,000
methanol passenger cars in use, mostly in Federal and private
fleets, and about 400 methanol buses in daily operation, mostly
in California.
Methanol is used in a number of consumer products, including
paint strippers, duplicator fluid, model airplane fuel, and dry
gas. Most windshield washer fluids are 50 percent methanol.
Is Methanol Poisonous?
Yes. As with many other fuels, methanol can be highly toxic and
should never be taken orally. A few teaspoons of methanol can
cause blindness and a few tablespoons can be fatal, if the
exposure is not treated.
It should be noted that the human body can metabolize and
eliminate low concentrations of methanol with no ill effects.
(Methanol is present in many cooked vegetables, and the
artificial sweetener in diet soft drinks breaks down into
methanol during digestion.) Methanol becomes poisonous only when
it overwhelms the body's capacity to remove it. Toxic effects do
not occur until several hours after exposure. Effective
antidotes to methanol poisoning are readily available and can be
administered during this interim period.
For More Information:
The Office of Mobile Sources is the national center for research
and policy on air pollution from highway and off-highway motor
vehicles and equipment. You can write to us at the EPA National
Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann
Arbor, MI 48105. Our phone number is (734) 214-4333.