Hi,

Aeromodellers are you aware that methanol is highly toxic?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol
http://www.antizol.com/mpoisono.htm

Its causes permanent blindness and respiratory failure.

How many are aware of it?
In my field no one is aware!!!

Its high time we move to gassers.

Please share your views.

Well, this is an important piece of info. All beginners on our field are given basic lessons on Dos & Don'ts by the seniors...better imbibe at your field.

Cheers!!

Happy landings!!

Quote from: mickey on October 02, 2011, 10:38:36 PM
Aeromodellers are you aware that methanol is highly toxic?

Why do you think methanol is banned in several states, Tamil Nadu included. Of course it is toxic, but it is also a very widely used industrial chemical.
DO NOT under any circumstances suck or blow into methanol containing fuel. Always use a syringe for the purpose. Follow basic safety precautions and you will be safe.
regards,
Avijit

or you could alway fly electric or diesel ?

- name one aeromodeller who has been affected by
   methanol poisoning ??

- no need to be such an alarmist

above remarks are directed at the OP

 

i am totally a nitro guy...!! it is one of the best things you can fly.!!

not much harmful if taken good care.!

Quote from: mickey on October 02, 2011, 10:38:36 PM
Aeromodellers are you aware that methanol is highly toxic?

Toxic ONLY if ingested.

I am pretty sure methanol fumes causes mood swings; have experienced it first hand

Where do you go about sniffing it? Its not volatile like petrol to give off fumes of significance.

Dropped 5 liter bottle on living room floor, wife made me mop it clean 

Its not meant to be inhaled/consumed/injestion during any RC sessionsSo take care and dont worry  .

@sunlikestar, I think you need to work upon a RC mopping machine too  .

Quote from: sushil_anand on October 03, 2011, 02:49:07 PM
Its not volatile like petrol to give off fumes of significance.

I am sorry but its much more volatile than Pertol... ....take it in hand and before u sniff it...it will evoprate. I am sure you are talking about Methanole with Caster Oil...then it become stable but still if you left the bottle open ....in a little time you will left with viscous Caster oil only ...

Its not poison....it has harful effect for sure like blindness. May cause death when taken in excess. In rural areas...you must have heard people went blind and deaths...due to Liquer, its the culprit!!!!  

In beginning of the hobby i had accidently consumed a sip of methanol while checking the clunk-line, but i did not affect my health, although i had burning sensation in my mouth.I had to drink lots of water.
Never tried the fumes with eyes  . If anybody has, kindly share your experience. .

Quote from: abhay1290 on October 03, 2011, 02:59:28 PM
@sunlikestar, I think you need to work upon a RC mopping machine too  .

But seriously on the OP's concern; even thou methanol is toxic and dangerous it should not be a problem as long as you are careful. There are lot of things more dangerous than methanol that we deal with, take propellers for example. Drinking methanol would be like poking your figures in a running prop

ps: found this

Quote from: http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2007/july/methanol.htm
It is very important to understand that methanol vapour is very easily absorbed by the lungs - in addition to that, methanol condenses on the eyes and skin, leading to absorption this way.

The Safest fuel for Aeromodeling are Rubber and Wind power (DLG) ... LiPO are equally dangerous is stored/charged carelessly... Nothing to say about Petrol (Gasoline ) as well.

Most of flying happens in open fields, so chances of inhaling the fume is too less. Yes, people m,ixing their own fuel should keep a vigil.

Be educated, fly safe.... enjoy this wonderful hobby.

Quote from: SunLikeStar on October 03, 2011, 02:54:33 PM
Dropped 5 liter bottle on living room floor, wife made me mop it clean 

Aha! Mopping to moping, that IS a mood swing I can understand

Where is that LOL smiley now

Quote from: ujjwaana on October 03, 2011, 05:35:28 PM
LiPO are equally dangerous is stored/charged carelessly...

Well one can always  use A123 or lifepo4 battery,they don't catch fire even if you hammer a nail into them.

Methanol is dangerous when ingested, that is consumed orally. It is preferentially taken up by the nerve cells in the brain and eye and metabolised to formaldehyde which denatures (inactivates) protiens. So nerve cells die. As far as spilling 5 litres of it and then mopping it up - if you were to spill 12 bottles of whisky in your drawing room ( 8 litres of 45% ethanol) you would be equally groggy at the end of the clean up.
buy a 20 cc plastic disposible syringe if you need to suck blow glow fuel
regards
avijit basu

if only meth is not alone harmful to add more of the disappointing for smokers..!

smoking cigarettes in presence of meth fumes is very harmful (though it might be giving a hard kick)

nicotine from the cigarette reacts with meth giving methylnicotinate.. also  phosgene

for those who do not know about phosgene, it the same chemical used by Hitler to kill the jews in the gas chamber..! also used for chemical weapons ..