Methanol molecular weight (MeOH) is one of the value molecules for convenient energy carrier and for chemical storage.

Methanol molecular weight can be released from natural sources (e.g., emissions from certain plants, as a by-product of degradation of organic material) as well as from human use of methanol molecular weight as a solvent. Methanol molecular weight has a low vapor pressure and will volatilize into air. With volatilization into the air, methanol molecular weight degrades via reaction with airborne hydroxyl radicals and has a half-life of ∼18 days. Methanol molecular weight can be removed from air via rainfall. If released into water, methanol molecular weight decomposition is expected to occur via biodegradation. If released to soil, methanol molecular weight is expected to degrade and be susceptible to leaching. Because of the low vapor pressure of methanol, rapid evaporation from dry surfaces occurs.
Methanol molecular weight can be released from natural sources (e.g., emissions from certain plants, as a by-product of degradation of organic material) as well as from human use of methanol molecular weight as a solvent. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Toxic Release Inventory, in 2011, companies across a wide range of industries reported that 103 534 415 pounds of methanol molecular weight were released to air, 13 987 379 pounds were released as underground injections, 3 838 319 pounds were released to water, and 2 255 595 were reported released to land.

Methanol molecular weight is a normal part of the human diet (via low levels in fresh fruits and vegetables) and is produced in the body by metabolic breakdown of other products. Food is the primary source of human methanol exposure. Workplace exposures to methanol may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound. The general population may be exposed to methanol molecular weight via inhalation of ambient air, ingestion of food and drinking water, use of products that contain methanol (e.g., paints, windshield wiper fluid), and smoking tobacco products. Mthanol levels of 80–180 μg per cigarette have been detected in cigarette smoke.

National monitoring data sets on methanol in air or water were not located. In rural locations levels of methanol molecular weight in air were found to range from about 2 to 12 parts per billion. Methanol molecular weight has been detected in finished drinking water.
Methanol is not a major constituent in wines. Within the usual range found in wine (0.1–0.2 g/liter), methanol molecular weight has no direct sensory effect. Of the over 160 esters found in wine, few are associated with methanol.

The concern occasionally about methanol relates to its metabolism to formaldehyde and formic acid. Both metabolites are toxic to the central nervous system. One of the first targets of formaldehyde toxicity is the optic nerve, causing blindness. Methanol molecular weight never accumulates to toxic levels under legitimate winemaking procedures.