Reaction mass of methyl acetate and methanol

Exposure related observations in humans: other data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

exposure-related observations in humans: other data

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

other: Read-across, see cross-reference

Justification for type of information:

Please refer to IUCLID section 13 for Read Across Justification.

Materials and methods

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

methanol; methyl acetate

EC Number:

902-591-9

Molecular formula:

not applicable

IUPAC Name:

methanol; methyl acetate

Results and discussion

Results:

The lethal dose of methanol for humans is not known for certain. The minimum lethal dose of methanol in the absence of medical treatment is between 0.3 and 1 g/kg. The minimum dose causing permanent visual defects is unknown.
The symptoms and signs of methanol poisoning, which may not appear until after an asymptomatic period of about 12 to 24 hours, include visual disturbances, nausea, abdominal and muscle pain, dizziness, weakness and disturbances of consciousness ranging from coma to clonic seizures. Visual disturbances generally develop between 12 and 48 h after methanol ingestion and range from mild photophobia and misty or blurred vision to markedly reduced visual acuity and complete blindness. In extreme cases death results. The principal clinical feature is severe metabolic acidosis of anion-gap type. The acidosis is largely attributed to the formic acid produced when methanol is metabolized. The normal blood concentration of methanol from endogenous sources is less than 0.5 mg/litre (0.02 mmol/litre), but dietary sources may increase blood methanol levels. Generally, CNS effects appear above blood methanol levels of 200 mg/L (6 mmol/L), and fatalities have occurred in untreated patients with initial methanol levels in the range of 1500-2000 mg/L (47-62 mmol/L). Visual disturbances of several types (blurring, constriction of the visible field, changes in colour perception, and temporary or permanent blindness) have been reported in workers who experienced methanol air levels of about 1.6 mg/L (corresponding to 1200 ppm) or more. A widely used occupational exposure limit for methanol is 0.26 mg/L (corresponding to 200 ppm), which is designed to protect workers from any of the effects of methanol-induced formic acid metabolic acidosis and ocular and nervous system toxicity. No other adverse effects of methanol have been reported in humans except minor skin and eye irritation at exposures well above 0.27 mg/L (corresponding to 270 mg/m³ and 200 ppm).