What is Isopropyl Alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless liquid found in household and workplace products alike. Due to its high flammability and potential health hazards, it is important to handle isopropyl alcohol in a safe manner no matter what the setting.
Common Uses of Isopropyl Alcohol
Two of isopropyl alcohol’s most popular uses are as a cleaning fluid and as asolvent for many oils, gums, and resins. Here are some other areas where this chemical can be found across a variety of industries:
Medical Uses
- Used by medical professionals to disinfect surfaces and clean equipment
- Used as a hand sanitizer in labs and hospitals
- As a home remedy, rubbing alcohol is used as an antiseptic for cuts and scrapes
In Cleaning Services
- Used to clean dirt from small, hard-to-reach areas such as keyboards
- Used to remove glue residue
- Used to remove stains from natural fibers like cotton and silk
Automotive Applications
- A common component of fuel additives, isopropyl alcohol helps to prevent the accumulation of water in fuel lines
- The chemical is also be sprayed onto windshields to melt ice
Industrial Uses
- Used as a solvent in the printing industry to clean delicate equipment
- Used as a solvent in the manufacturing of several computer components
- Used in the manufacturing of paint
Isopropyl Alcohol Safety Concerns
Pure isopropyl is considered to be a toxic substance to humans, as it is known to readily absorb through the skin. As an alcohol, it is highly flammable in the presence of heat, sparks, or an open flame.
When handling isopropyl alcohol in a work environment (to best to avoid any contact with skin) protective clothing should be always be worn, including safety gloves and goggles. The area should also be well-ventilated and have a wash station nearby.
While isopropyl alcohol products for home use are generally less concentrated and less toxic than industry-standard versions, precautions still need to be taken when handling.
Isopropyl Alcohol Health Hazards
Swallowing or inhaling isopropyl alcohol can cause headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and unconsciousness. Long-term effects of working with this substance are not well-known at this time, so care and caution should be taken when handling isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl products as a preventative measure.
Isopropyl Alcohol Safety, Handling, and First Aid
In the event of exposure to isopropyl alcohol, the following steps should be taken to prevent serious health hazards:
Eye Contact – Remove contact lenses if present. Flush eyes with water or a regular saline solution for at least 20 minutes and seek medical attention.
Skin Contact – Remove and isolate all contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical attention if skin irritation or redness occurs.
Inhalation – The affected individual should be removed from the area immediately and brought into fresh air. Seek medical attention immediately if any breathing problems are present.
Ingestion – If victim is conscious, give 1-2 glasses of water to dilute the alcohol. Do not induce vomiting, as there is risk of the chemical being aspirated into the lungs while vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.
Safe Storage & Disposal of Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol should be stored in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Due to the chemical’s extreme flammability, it must be kept away from all possible ignition sources, including heat, sparks, and flames. Dispose of this isopropyl alcohol in accordance with federal, state, and local environmental control regulations.
For more information on isopropyl alcohol and other chemicals, explore our huge database of MSDS information.
FAQs
When handling isopropyl alcohol in a work environment (to best to avoid any contact with skin) protective clothing should be always be worn, including safety gloves and goggles. The area should also be well-ventilated and have a wash station nearby.
Should I wear a mask when using isopropyl alcohol? ›
Use respirators when engineering and work practice controls are not feasible or are being installed. Respiratory protection should be NIOSH approved for isopropyl alcohol and used in accordance with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 1910.134.
What is the OSHA exposure limit for isopropyl alcohol? ›
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 400 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 400 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and 500 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period.
Is isopropyl alcohol fumes harmful? ›
It releases chlorine gas that burns the eyes, the throat, and may damage the lungs. - How to properly dilute and use IPA.
Are isopropyl alcohol fumes flammable? ›
Highly flammable. Vapour/air mixtures are explosive. Risk of explosion on contact with strong oxidants. NO open flames, NO sparks and NO smoking.
What precautions should be taken when using isopropyl alcohol? ›
Keep container tightly closed. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Avoid breathing vapor. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
What PPE is needed for isopropyl alcohol? ›
When handling isopropyl alcohol in a work environment (to best to avoid any contact with skin) protective clothing should be always be worn, including safety gloves and goggles. The area should also be well-ventilated and have a wash station nearby.
Is 91% isopropyl alcohol toxic? ›
It is toxic. If you suspect someone has isopropyl alcohol poisoning—whether by accident or on purpose (desperation, experimentation)—call 911 and the American Association of Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If you know someone considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.
What is the TWA for isopropyl alcohol? ›
The OSHA health standards for exposure to air contaminants require that an employee's exposure to isopropyl alcohol not exceed an 8-h TWA of 400 ppm in the working atmosphere in any 8-h shift of a 40-h workweek (OSHA, 1982); a ceiling of 800 ppm was determined during a sampling time of 15 min (NIOSH, 1976).
What is the precautionary statement for isopropyl alcohol? ›
Precautions for safe handling
Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Use only in well-ventilated areas. Due to danger of explosion, prevent leakage of vapours into cellars, flues and ditches.
People should avoid inhaling large quantities of rubbing alcohol vapor, as this can have serious side effects. They should also avoid long-term use of rubbing alcohol on the skin. Drinking rubbing alcohol can cause poisoning and serious illness.
Is isopropyl alcohol cancerous? ›
Isopropanol is a central nervous system depressant and prolonged inhalation exposure of rats can produce degenerative changes in the brain. There is no evidence for genetic toxicity. There is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of isopropanol in humans.
What's the difference between isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol? ›
Isopropyl alcohol is pure alcohol and is a colorless liquid with a musty, sharp odor. There are no other ingredients in a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. By contrast, rubbing alcohol contains isopropyl alcohol among other ingredients, such as water. Most rubbing alcohol brands contain 70% isopropyl alcohol.
How much isopropyl is toxic to humans? ›
Large ingestions may lead to respiratory arrest, hypotension due to vasodilation, and myocardial suppression. It is very irritating to the gastrointestinal mucosa and gastritis is common. Toxic dose: Toxic ingestions have occurred at oral doses of 0.5 to 1 mL/kg of 70% isopropyl alcohol solution.
What is the explosive limit for IPA? ›
However, the revised IDLH for isopropyl alcohol is 2,000 ppm based strictly on safety considerations (i.e., being 10% of the lower explosive limit of 2%).
What is the odor threshold for IPA? ›
Results: The (geometric) mean odor detection threshold for IPA was slightly higher among exposed workers than controls (39 ppm vs. 11 ppm). Lateralization thresholds measuring intra-nasal irritation were elevated when compared with controls (6,083 ppm in exposed workers vs.
Is it safe to clean your face with isopropyl alcohol? ›
By stripping the skin of sebum, you remove the natural protections that can help the skin heal if you have acne. Even the occasional use of rubbing alcohol can cause skin irritation, dryness, and inflammation.
How effective is isopropyl alcohol in killing germs? ›
A bottle of rubbing alcohol typically contains between 60 to 80 percent isopropanol dissolved in water. Rubbing alcohol has many uses. It's a powerful germicide, which means it has the ability to kill a wide variety of germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Does skin absorb isopropyl alcohol? ›
At the end of the study, measurable blood isopropyl alcohol levels (range 0.5-1.8 mg/l) were recorded in nine subjects. We confirmed that isopropyl alcohol could be absorbed through the intact skin of adult humans.
Is it OK to rinse your mouth with isopropyl alcohol? ›
No, you should not use rubbing alcohol as a mouthwash. Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, is not intended for oral use and can be harmful if ingested. It is designed for external use only, such as for disinfecting surfaces or sterilizing skin before injections.
