Methanol

Overview

EPA conducted a peer review and public comment of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessment of Methanol (noncancer) , this is finalized and posted on the IRIS Web site.

Background

Methanol is a high production volume chemical with many commercial uses. It is a basic building block for numerous chemicals. Many of its derivatives are used in the construction, housing or automotive industries. Consumer products that contain methanol include varnishes, shellacs, paints, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, adhesives, and deicers. This draft IRIS health assessment addresses non-cancer human health effects that may result from chronic exposure to this chemical. This draft assessment provides an inhalation reference concentration (RfC) for chronic noncancer health effects and a reassessment of the oral reference dose (RfD).

History/Chronology

Date	Description
Sep 1988	EPA posted the assessment of an oral reference dose for methanol on the IRIS Database.
Jul 1993	EPA revised the oral reference dose for methanol.
Dec 2009	EPA hosted an interagency science consultation on the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol for cancer and non-cancer health effects.
Jan 2010	EPA released the IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol (External Review Draft - Dec 2009) on cancer and noncancer health effects for public viewing and comment, and announced the public listening session would be held on February 23, 2010. [Federal Register Jan 12, 2010]
Jun 2010	Following a report from the National Toxicology Program, EPA placed on hold the draft Methanol Toxicological Review on cancer and non-cancer health effects.[See June 15, 2010 SAB press release]
Apr 2011	EPA released the external review draft of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol (noncancer) for public viewing and comment. EPA also announced a public listening session to be held on May 26, 2011 in Arlington, VA. [Federal Register Apr 18, 2011]
Mar 2012	EPA announced that data from the Ramazzini Institute (Ramazzini update) on lymphomas and leukemias would not be used in IRIS assessments. This decision impacted the cancer assessment contained in the December 2009 draft methanol assessment, which was released in January 2010 for external peer review. The December 2009 draft assessment has been archived.
May 2013	EPA released a revised draft toxicological review and appendices for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register Notice: May 03, 2013]
Jun 2013	EPA hosted a public meeting and webinar to allow the public in on a discussion by the peer review panel members about their initial comments on the revised 2013 External Review Draft Toxicological Review of Methanol (noncancer). The public was also invited to provide comments.

Status

Following the public comment period and peer review, the final assessment will be updated and published on the IRIS database.

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

• Toxicological Review of Methanol (Noncancer) -- Main Report without Appendices (PDF)  (212  pp, 3.5 MB, about PDF)
• Appendices for Toxicological Review of Methanol (Noncancer) -- Appendices Only (PDF)  (203  pp, 3.6 MB, about PDF)

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Document Related Link(s)

• IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol (Interagency Science Consultation Draft)
• IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol (Noncancer) (Interagency Science Discussion Draft)
• IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol (Noncancer) (Revised External Review Draft)