Denatured alcohol, also referred to as Methylated Spirits, is simply pure ethanol alcohol (the type of alcohol that humans can drink) that has been "contaminated" with one or more toxic chemicals in order to make the alcohol poisonous. Because denatured alcohol is not drinkable it is exempt from high alcohol taxes and is affordable for many scientific and industrial needs. For example, denatured alcohol is used as fuel for camping stoves and for many sanding purposes in commercial wood shops. Under no circumstances should denatured alcohol be ingested as it can cause blindness or death.
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