Methanol: Environmental effects
Description
Methanol may affect animals, birds and fish, leading to their death. Exposure can also cause low growth rate in plants. Long term methanol exposure can affect the fertility of biota and affect their appearance or behaviour. Methanol does not concentrate or accumulate in fish.
Entering the environment
Methanol is carried in the water and air. It is soluble in water. In air, methanol remains as a vapour for 18 days, eventually breaking down to other chemicals. Methanol is volatile, so it can be carried quite long distances. Methanol does not bind well to soil, so it can enter the groundwater.
Where it ends up
Methanol eventually evaporates when exposed to air and dissolves completely when mixed with water.
Environmental guidelines
Currently, there are no Australian environmental guidelines for methanol.
Key
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