Tim Keenan writes about methanol: > Be aware that it is toxic, >and absorbed through the skin and lungs, not just by the gut. It will damage your liver and your nerves with >prolonged exposure. You don't have to drink it to go blind, it just takes a lot longer by other routes. Given this information, I tend to be confused as to why so many of us spend so much time and effort trying to get hold of the stuff. It's all going to be used indoors, with some skin contact, and the vapors will be in our shops or living areas. Ethanol as Everclear at 190 proof can do the same jobs with much less toxicity, and the only argument I hear against it is expense. How many gallons is everyone planning to use? And how much is your liver worth? Compare the cost difference with how much health insurance costs, and all it does is pay your bills when you are already sick. Sorry about the soapbox, but this has been a pet peeve for quite awhile. By the way, when I ask at a hardware store for "methanol" or "methyl hydrate" they sell me "denatured alcohol solvent", which says it's a "shellac thinner, alcohol appliance fuel, and marine stove fuel." It has denatured alcohol and not more than 4% methanol in it. It still has beaucoup warnings about the vapors, both as a health hazard and a fire hazard. It's already a lot better than pure methanol, but why not use ethanol instead? Your far too earnest Susan Susan Kline P.O. Box 1651 Philomath, OR 97370 skline@proaxis.com "The more I learn about light, the more I think we're all still completely in the dark." -- Ashleigh Brilliant
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