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General Information

Methanol is a colorless, and poisonous liquid that has a slight odor to it. Methanol is also called wood alcohol, methyl alcohol, carbinol, and wood spirits. It can produced from natural gas, coal, wood, and chemical synthesis from other carbon containing products. Methanol can be found in places containing natural gas, coal, wood, carbon containing products, and outer space. A small amount of methanol vapor in the atmosphere. Today, methanol is obtained by a long process including the use of natural gas, steam, and a catalyst. Methanol is toxic to humans, and eye contact, prolonged exposure, ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact can cause serious problems. Methanol is also flammable as a liquid and a vapor, and when it burns it is difficult to see, making it more dangerous. If released into the environment, it will biodegrade or evaporate quickly, and poses a slight danger to aquatic life. In 2006, astronomers discovered a 300 billion mile wide cloud of methanol in space.

General Pictures of Methanol