Reply to "Water and/or methanol injection?"

Steve,

I browsed the 'net for an msds sheet for window washer fluid. It was in pdf format, so I couldn't copy & paste. My scanner at work is also broken, so I can't scan the document. So I'll type an excerpt for you:

Methanol is a poisonous, narcotic chemical that can affect the body through inhalation, ingestion, and perhaps prolonged or repeated skin contact. Absorption by inhalation or ingestion is rapid and excretion is much slower than for ethyl alcohol, resulting in delayed effects or compounding effects by repeated exposure. It is important to be aware that after ingestion or inhalations, initial symptoms may be only that of mild intoxication, but may become severe after 12 to 18 hours. Toxic effects are exerted upon the central nervous system, especially the optic nerve. Ingestion can produce blindness; 100 - 120 ml can be fatal. Symptoms of overexposure include dizziness, visual impairment, nausea, respiratory failure, muscular incoordination and narcosis. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis, erythema, scaling, and possibly systemic effects.

The msds also suggest wearing eye protection, gloves, apron & foot protection when handling the window washer fluid.

The first words on the back label of the bottle warns "Cannot be made nonpoisonous" and goes on to advise to use only in a well ventillated area, avoid contact with skin, and do not store it in the passenger compartment or the trunk.

George