Type of alcohol that is highly flammable and poisonous. When ingested at even small quantities of 10 milliliter, two teaspoonful, it can cause permanent blindness. Up near 100 milliliters it may be fatal. Catalytic oxidation of methane, in natural gas , converts to methanol, to be used as an gasoline additive or as an alternative fuel. Miscible with water and most other organic liquids, like gasoline. Mixing with gasoline lowers carbon monoxide emissions, but hydrocarbon emissions increase. It is less harmful as emissions than those of gasoline, when used alone. Organic synthesis, especially of formaldehyde (methanal) is another use of methanol. Also known as wood alcohol.
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