Weekly Topic: What are the measures to prevent methanol poisoning? How to handle emergencies in the event of a methanol leak? 2016.5.16---...

I’m here to learn *; please, experts, answer quickly!

Preventive measures ① Use ethanol instead of methanol as much as possible during the production process. 　　②Enhance sealed and ventilated exhaust facilities, and wear protective masks and gloves. 　　③Strengthen management to prevent accidental ingestion. In the event of a methanol leak: Personnel in the affected area should be quickly evacuated to a safe zone, and the area should be isolated with strict restrictions on access. Cut off the source of fire. It is recommended that emergency responders wear self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus and anti-static work clothing. Do not come into direct contact with the spill. Seal the source of leakage as much as possible. Prevent entry into confined spaces such as sewers and drainage ditches. 　　Minor leaks: Absorb or adsorb them using sand or other non-flammable materials. It can also be rinsed with a large amount of water, and the diluted wash water can be discharged into the wastewater system. 　　Large-scale leakage: Build dikes or dig pits to contain it. Cover with foam to reduce vapor hazards. Transfer to a tank truck or specialized collector using an explosion-proof pump, and recycle it or transport it to a waste disposal facility for disposal.

1. First, call the emergency number on the shipping label or the local fire and emergency services number. Take urgent preventive measures, carry out evacuation at the scene, remove unrelated personnel, and stay in the upwind area; never enter low-lying areas. An isolation zone should be established around the area where a leak has occurred. In the event of a simple leak, the isolation distance should be at least 50 meters; whereas in the case of a fire with storage tanks, tank trucks, or container trucks present on site, the isolation distance must be at least 800 meters. 　　2. When a storage tank or truck catches fire, extinguish the fire from as great a distance as possible, or use remote-controlled water guns or water cannons to put out the fire; cool the containers containing hazardous materials with large amounts of tap water until the fire is completely extinguished. If the safety valve of the container makes noise or the storage tank changes color, evacuate immediately and stay away from the tank engulfed in flames. 　　3. In the event of an overflow or leak, rescuers should wear fully enclosed protective clothing when dealing with spills or leaks that are not on fire; when dealing with fires, the equipment used must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through the spilled material; prevent it from entering drains, sewers, etc., and establish a containment zone in front of the spill to await cleanup. 1. Occupational poisoning is mainly seen in the production and handling of methanol, as well as in industries that use methanol as a raw material or solvent. In jobs involving the use of methanol to produce formaldehyde or in industries that utilize methanol for manufacturing cellulose, photographic film, antifreeze, and denaturants, poor ventilation or accidents can lead to the inhalation of high concentrations of methanol in a short period of time, resulting in acute or subacute poisoning. Furthermore, during packaging or handling, if the container breaks or leaks, large amounts of methanol can be absorbed through the skin, leading to poisoning. 2. Oral poisoning is mostly caused by accidental ingestion of alcohol or beverages contaminated with methanol, and in some cases by individuals attempting suicide. The minimum oral toxic dose is approximately 100 mg/kg body weight, and ingestion of 0.3–1 g/kg body weight can be fatal. 3. The reference toxic dose of methanol is 5–10 ml (approximately 4–8 g). The reference lethal dose for methanol is 30 ml (about 24 g), but cases of death have been reported with doses as low as 5 ml and as high as 250 ml. Methanol poisoning is often caused by consuming alcohol with a high methanol content. In recent years, cases of acute methanol poisoning caused by fake alcohol have occurred frequently in the country. Fake alcohol is often made by blending methanol or industrial alcohol with a high methanol content.

Measures: 1. Use ethanol instead of methanol as much as possible in the production process.    2. Strengthen sealed and ventilated exhaust facilities, and wear protective masks and gloves.  3. Strengthen management to prevent accidental ingestion. Emergency measures: 1. Personnel in the area affected by the leakage should be quickly evacuated to a safe area, where they should be isolated with strict restrictions on access. Cut off the source of fire. It is recommended that emergency responders wear self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus and anti-static work clothing. Do not come into direct contact with the spill. Seal the source of leakage as much as possible. Prevent entry into confined spaces such as sewers and drainage ditches. 2. Minor leaks: Absorb or adsorb them using sand or other non-flammable materials. It can also be rinsed with a large amount of water, and the diluted wash water can be discharged into the wastewater system. 3. Large-scale leakage: Build dikes or dig pits to contain it. Cover with foam to reduce vapor hazards. Transfer to a tank truck or specialized collector using an explosion-proof pump, and recycle it or transport it to a waste disposal facility for disposal.

Methanol is a flammable and volatile liquid that can be ignited by heat, sparks, or open flames, leading to fires. Its vapors can form explosive mixtures with air, with an explosion limit of 6.0% to 36.5%, making explosions likely to occur. 　　When the human body is exposed to methanol, it can be absorbed through the respiratory and digestive tracts, as well as to some extent through the skin, and it exhibits significant accumulation properties. Methanol can cause systemic diseases in humans, characterized primarily by damage to the central nervous system, eye damage, and metabolic acidosis. During the handling of an accident, the following measures can be taken at the scene: 1. First, call the emergency number listed on the shipping label or the local fire and emergency services number. Take urgent preventive measures, carry out evacuation at the scene, remove unrelated personnel, and stay in the upwind area; never enter low-lying areas. An isolation zone should be established around the area where a leak has occurred. In the event of a simple leak, the isolation distance should be at least 50 meters; whereas in the case of a fire with storage tanks, tank trucks, or container trucks present on site, the isolation distance must be at least 800 meters. 　　2. When a storage tank or truck catches fire, extinguish the fire from as great a distance as possible, or use remote-controlled water guns or water cannons to put out the fire; cool the containers containing hazardous materials with large amounts of tap water until the fire is completely extinguished. If the safety valve of the container makes noise or the storage tank changes color, evacuate immediately and stay away from the tank engulfed in flames. 　　3. In the event of an overflow or leak, rescuers should wear fully enclosed protective clothing when dealing with spills or leaks that are not on fire; when dealing with fires, the equipment used must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through the spilled material; prevent it from entering drains, sewers, etc., and establish a containment zone in front of the spill to await cleanup. 　　4. First aid for the injured: Evacuate the scene quickly. Upon a leak occurring, all personnel in the affected area should be promptly evacuated to a safe location upwind of the leaking substance. Call 120 or other emergency medical services; medical staff should quickly classify the injured based on the severity of their condition and apply appropriate markers to ensure that those in critical condition receive timely treatment. 　　Prevent further absorption of toxins. The victim’s contaminated clothing should be removed immediately, and the area should be rinsed thoroughly with plenty of flowing water. For victims of inhalation poisoning, they should be immediately taken to a place with fresh air, and their airways must be kept unobstructed. 　　Handling of persons unconscious. For injured patients who are unconscious, it is important to monitor changes in their pupils, breathing, pulse, and blood pressure. After initial first aid on the scene, the injured person was transferred to a nearby hospital for further treatment under close supervision by medical staff.