[Stoves] Methanol stove fuel. was Re: [Gasification]Methanoltoxicity?

[Dean Still]

Wikipedia says:

A methanol flame is almost colorless. Care should be exercised around
burning methanol to avoid burning oneself on the almost invisible fire.

Because of its poisonous properties, methanol is frequently used as a
denaturant additive for ethanol manufactured for industrial uses- this
addition of a poison economically exempts industrial ethanol from the rather
significant 'liquor' taxes that would otherwise be levied as it is the
essence of all potable adult beverages. Methanol is often called wood
alcohol because it was once produced chiefly as a byproduct of the
destructive distillation of wood. It is now produced synthetically by a
multi-step process. In short, natural gas and steam are reformed in a
furnace to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide; then, hydrogen and carbon
monoxide gases react under pressure in the presence of a catalyst. The
reforming step is endothermic and the synthesis step is exothermic.

Health and safety
Methanol...is toxic by its breakdown (toxication) by the enzyme alcohol
dehydrogenase in the liver by forming formic acid and formaldehyde which
cause blindness by destruction of the optic nerve. [2] Methanol ingestion
can also be fatal due to its CNS depressant properties in the same manner as
ethanol poisoning. It enters the body by ingestion, inhalation, or
absorption through the skin. Fetal tissue will not tolerate methanol.
Dangerous doses will build up if a person is regularly exposed to vapors or
handles liquid without skin protection. If methanol has been ingested, a
doctor should be contacted immediately. The usual fatal dose: 100-125 mL (4
fl oz). Toxic effects take hours to start, and effective antidotes can often
prevent permanent damage.

Best,

Dean