[fireforeffect]

And this is somehow different from Benzene? Benzene is the primary component of gasoline.

Benzene OSHA exposure limit 1 ppm.
Methanol OSHA exposure limit 200 ppm.

Seams like an improvement to me.

[Vaquero]

"And this is somehow different from Benzene? Benzene is the primary component of gasoline."

While doing work as a house painter (some 30 years ago before I got a job in pharmaceuticals) my boss sent me to the hardware store for Benzene. an old codger walked me around to the benzene tank. He told me that one time a young fella was asked to check on the level of the tank so he struck a match to look inside. "...and he ain't benzene since".....was the punch line.

[IronJack]

Benzene is the primary component of gasoline.

I don't think so. Benzene is a ringed hydrocarbon. Gasoline is composed primarily of simple alkanes: hexane, heptane, octane ... You may be confused because gasoline is known as "benzin" in Germany.

[mvpel]

Benzene makes up about 1-5% of gasoline formulations.

The Gasoline MSDS indicates:

"SKIN: Practically non-toxic if absorbed following acute (single) exposure. Liquid may be absorbed through the skin in toxic amounts if large areas of skin are exposed repeatedly."

vs. Methanol:

"Skin absorption can occur; symptoms may parallel inhalation exposure."

And the TWA for gasoline is 50% higher than methanol, 300ppm as opposed to 200ppm.

Sure, gasoline is dangerous, but methanol is arguably more dangerous, given its propensity for skin absorption. Or are you saying you've never spilled gasoline on your skin or clothes before?