Rubbing alcohol

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Rubbing alcohol, U.S.P. / B.P. is a liquid prepared for topical application prepared from specially denatured alcohol and containing 68.5-71.5% vol./vol. of absolute (ie. 100%) alcohol. However, individual manufacturers can use their own "formulation standards" in which the ethanol content usually ranges from 70-95% v/v. NOTE: the British Pharmacopoeia and United States Pharmacopoeia define the term "Alcohol" as a mixture of ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol, C₂H₅OH=46.07) and water of fixed proportions i.e. Alcohol, B.P.= ethanol 96% v/v , Alcohol, U.S.P. = ethanol 95% v/v . Therefore, the term rubbing alcohol generally refers to a mixture using ethyl alcohol.

In the United States, rubbing alcohol, U.S.P. and all preparations coming under the classification of Rubbing Alcohols and must be manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the US Treasury Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, using Formula 23-H (8 parts by volume of acetone, 1.5 parts by volume of methyl isobutyl ketone, and 100 parts by volume of ethyl alcohol). It contains 68.5-71.5% by volume of absolute ethyl alcohol, the remainder consisting of water and the denaturants, with or without colour additives, and perfume oils. Rubbing Alcohol contains in each 100 mL not less than 355 mg of sucrose octaacetate or not less than 1.40 mg of denatonium benzoate. The preparation may be coloured with one or more colour additives. A suitable stabilizer may also be added.

Rubbing alcohol also exists on pharmacy store shelves without the U.S.P. standard designation. The concentration of the ethyl alcohol component can vary but it is generally printed under the ingredient list of that particular product. A common concentration is 95%

Description: Transparent, colourless or coloured as desired, mobile, volatile liquid, with an extremely bitter taste, and in the absence of added odorous substances, a characteristic odour; flammable; specific gravity of Formula 23-H is between 0.8691 and 0.8771 at 15.56°.

Uses: Applied externally as a cooling, soothing application for bedridden patients and athletes. It is also widely used for cleansing the surgeon's hands and instruments and for disinfection of the skin prior to penetration of the skin by a hypodermic needle. As an antiseptic it is good against vegetative bacteria and fair against fungi and viruses. It is ineffective against spores. It is widely believed that 70% ethanol provides the greatest reduction in bacterial count; however, this is in error. Other concentrations may be more effective, but their rate of kill is slower. In order to reduce the skin bacterial count to 5% of normal, 70% ethanol must be left on the skin for at least 2 min. Rubbing alcohol is also a feeble anesthetic and a mild counterirritant. It is not potable (= not drinkable) (see Abuse).

1 Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
2 Abuse
3 Other applications
4 External links

[edit] Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, U.S.P. / B.P. contains 68-99% of isopropyl alcohol, by volume, the remainder consisting of water, with or without colour additives, suitable stabilizers, and perfume oils.

Description: Transparent, mobile, volatile liquid with a slightly bitter taste and, in the absence of odorous constituents, a characteristic odor; specific gravity between 0.872 and 0.883. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is poisonous and can cause permanent disabling illness or death if consumed.

Uses It is recognized as a rubefacient because it evaporates quickly and is used to cool and soothe skin. It is, however, more widely used as an antiseptic for sterilizing surfaces or clean minor cuts or abrasions.

Isopropyl rubbing alcohol can also be supplied in a 99% concentration. This product is used to harden skin such as in the case of the feet of novice hikers. Care should always be taken, and label of the preparation read carefully. It is unsuited as a fuel in alcohol stoves because of the relatively low vapor pressure of isopropyl alcohol.

In the UK the equivalent skin preparation is surgical spirit which is always based on an ethyl alcohol-methyl alcohol mixture, and which often has the addition of small quantities of iodoform as a topical bacteriocide.

[edit] Abuse

Rubbing alcohol is sometimes consumed by those who cannot afford or cannot legally buy beverage (potable) alcohol (ethanol). The minimum age of 21 to purchase alcohol in the United States does not apply to rubbing alcohol.

Isopropyl alcohol is oxidized by the liver into acetone. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include flushing, headache, dizziness, CNS depression, nausea, vomiting, anesthesia, and coma. Use in well-ventilated areas and use protective gloves while using. Poisoning can occur from ingestion, inhalation, or absorption.

Rubbing alcohol products that contain methyl alcohol can cause blindness or death when consumed.

Rubbing alcohol burns with a bright blue flame, which is almost invisible in the light, but quite impressive in the dark. The higher the alcohol percentage, the richer the color, typically. This can obviously be dangerous, as with burning just about anything.

[edit] Other applications

It will allegedly remove silly putty from textiles and pine resin from most materials. Alcohol can be inserted into parts to bring out the liquids within.
It will remove the ability of superglue to adhere to object.
It will remove Thermal grease from Computer Processor Heatsinks
Although it does not work perfectly, it is probably the best method for removing sharpie marker from human skin.