U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA 4oo-F-92-oo3
OFFICE OF MOBILE SOURCES
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 advan-
tages 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 carcino-
genic) , 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 1980s, a lim-
ited number of methanol passenger cars and buses are now commercially avail-
able. There are approximately 14,000 methanol passenger cars in use, mostly in
FACT SHEET OMS-7
August, 1994
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Methanol Basics
Federal and private fleets, and about 400 methanol buses in daily opera-
tion, mostly in California.
Methanol is used in a number of consumer products, including paint
strippers, duplicator fluid, model airplane fuel, and dry gas. Most wind-
shield 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 poi-
sonous only when it overwhelms the body's capacity to remove it. Toxic
effects do not occur until several hours after exposure. Effective anti-
dotes to methanol poisoning are readily available and can be adminis-
tered during this interim period.
For Further Information:
The EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory is the national
center for research and policy related to air pollution from mobile sources.
For additional information about methanol and other alternative fuels,
write the lab's Regulatory Programs and Technology Staff at 2565 Ply-
mouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, or call 313-668-4454. Further al-
ternative fuels information is available through the Department of Energy's
toll-free 'National Alternative Fuels Hotline' at 1-800-423-1363.
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