4-methylcyclohexane methanol is a chemical used to clean coal before it is burned. As you know a region of southern West Virginia where upwards of 100,000 people live has been affected by a spill of this chemical; the water supply in this area has been made unavailable for human use. A 48,000 gallon storage tank for 4-methylcyclohexane methanol has been leaking the chemical into the Elk River, which is part of the municipal water supply in the area.<\/p>\n
Apparently there isn’t a lot known about this particular chemical. It’s chemical name is scary looking, and resembles the names of other better known chemicals that are really toxic. But it is also a form of alcohol. How bad can that be?<\/p>\n
I wonder if the various chemistry experts out there could comment on this chemical.<\/p>\n
Given the nature of the molecule, is it likely to be toxic? To bio-accumulate? To evaporate over time, or not? Even though there is apparently no way to clean the water of this chemical in place would that be something that could be easily implemented?<\/p>\n
Is this region of West Virginia now uninhabitable for the next few decades or is this chemical going to degrade and\/or disperse to a harmless level in a few weeks?<\/p>\n
Any ideas?<\/p>\n
Sources of information:<\/p>\n
PubChem<\/a><\/p>\n Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n Debora Blum<\/a><\/p>\n Gazette-Mail<\/a><\/p>\n Salon: Little is known<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 4-methylcyclohexane methanol is a chemical used to clean coal before it is burned. As you know a region of southern West Virginia where upwards of 100,000 people live has been affected by a spill of this chemical; the water supply in this area has been made unavailable for human use. A 48,000 gallon storage tank … Continue reading The 4-methylcyclohexane methanol spill in West Virginia (Coal cleaning chemical)<\/span>