Difference Between Isopropyl and Ethanol Alcohol
Isopropyl and ethanol alcohol are two substances commonly found in the home. Confusion about these two different types of alcohol could lead to a serious health issue, so it is important that you understand the difference. Does this Spark an idea?
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Isopropyl
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Isopropyl is the type of alcohol you would keep in your bathroom to treat wounds. It is not meant for consumption.
Ethanol
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Ethanol alcohol, also called "ethyl," is the type that is meant for human consumption as long as it is "de-natured" meaning pure. It most commonly comes in the form of liquor, wine or beer, and has a "proof" labeling, which indicates its strength.
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Antiseptic Properties
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Though both ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are good for treating wounds, isopropyl is much more effective as an antiseptic cleanser.
Biodiesel
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Ethanol alcohol can also be used as a biodiesel fuel in cars and in lighting and heating systems.
Effects
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While both isopropyl and ethyl alcohol can be deadly if taken in high doses, isopropyl alcohol is more deadly. Negative reactions from drinking isopropyl--including vomiting, pain, headaches, diarrhea and lack of coordination--will usually appear within 30 minutes of consumption. Ethanol drinkers may experience some of these symptoms hours after consumption, but it does not usually result in coma or death (unless consumed in very large quantities).
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Comments
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I must agree with the poster db350. denatured alcohol is not meant for human consumption. it will kill you. denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol (C 2 H 5 OH ) or ethanol (also C 2 H 5 OH, the drinking kind) to which methanol has been added to make it unfit for human consumption. Please correct this article.
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db350
Sep 09, 2010
This article is dangerously incorrect! Denatured ethanol should never be consumed. Denatured ethanol is NOT meant for consumption in that it had added methanol or other products that purposely make it poisonous and unfit for consumption. For this article to state that only denatured ethanol is meant for consumption, and is pure, is absolutely negligent. A person should NEVER consume denatured alcohol. Also, ethanol is also known as ethyl alcohol, not ethanol alcohol is known as "ethyl" as the article states. And it is incorrect to say ethanol can be used as a biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel and ethanol are completely different fuels.
