Not sure but I think that the methylated spirit sold in the UK contain Methanol witch is very toxic:
"Methanol is toxic by two mechanisms. Firstly, methanol (whether it enters the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin) can be fatal due to its CNS depressant properties in the same manner as ethanol poisoning. Secondly, it is toxic by its breakdown (toxication) by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver by forming formic acid and formaldehyde which cause permanent blindness by destruction of the optic nerve.[2] Fetal tissue will not tolerate methanol. Dangerous doses will build up if a person is regularly exposed to vapors or handles liquid without skin protection. If methanol has been ingested, a doctor should be contacted immediately."Methanol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaEven though production of ethanol fuel for cars is up it is not certain this finds it's way onto the shelf's as methylated spirit. As the process use quite a lot of energy and is most commonly made from natural gas I doubt that there is any environmental gain to be made choosing meths over a petroleum based fuel:
"Today, synthesis gas is most commonly produced from the methane component in natural gas rather than from coal."
"Although natural gas is the most economical and widely used feedstock for methanol production, other feedstocks can be used. Where natural gas is unavailable, light petroleum products can be used in its place."There is also a reason why the commercially available alcohol-stoves are made from brass or stainless steel:
"One of the drawbacks of methanol as a fuel is its corrosivity to some metals, including aluminium. Methanol, although a weak acid, attacks the oxide coating that normally protects the aluminium from corrosion"In Scandinavia and I believe Germany, where Trangia stoves are common, denaturalised Ethanol that doesn't contain Methanol is easy to find. Recently a big firm in Sweden had to withdraw and warn the public of their cheaper version (from UK?) as they found traces of Methanol and were worried that kids or addicts would get poisoned and blind!
Methanol has slightly lower energy content than Ethanol but it could be hard to compare as some fuels aren't 100% alcohol! Alcohol has roughly half the energy content of white gas witch should be of interest for longer journeys!:
Liquid fuels - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAlcohol fuel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaI like the simplicity and dependability of alcohol-stoves. But my petrol fueled Optimus Svea and Nova stoves are the choice if I'm gone for a week and longer or outside of Europe. Faster (yes I have tried!), more compact and easy to source fuel and with 2-3 times the wattage than that of a alcohol as well as easily controlled with a flick of the wrist. So as a chef by trade I can cook a meal pretty much the way I do at home or work!
But it can be sourced world over and here's a good "how to find it" link:
Where to get meths (methylated spirits)Be ware though! I was chased for two blocks by an angry chemist in northern Italy shouting insults. He thought I was an addict and the two bottles of 100% pure Ethanol I bought was for my own consumption. Did actualy make some tasty, but rather strong, screwdrivers...
If you were drinking METHYLATED SPIRIT what would you mix it with? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers