Isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) is used in many industries. It is used in medicine as an external agent. But is it possible to drink isopropyl alcohol? This question interests many people. Is this substance dangerous? Will it lead to poisoning in the body? Let's try to figure it out.
Description of the substance
Before answering the question whether isopropyl alcohol is drunk, consider the composition of this chemical compound.
Isopropanol looks like a clear, colorless liquid. It has a harsher smell than ethanol. The formula of isopropyl alcohol is C 3 H 8 O. This substance refers to aliphatic compounds that do not contain a benzene ring. In terms of chemistry, isopropanol is the simplest monohydric alcohol.
The composition of isopropyl alcohol includes the following chemical elements:
Oxygen and hydrogen in this compound form one hydroxyl group (OH) bonded to a carbon atom.
The properties
Isopropanol has a low density, but less volatile than ethanol. A high concentration of its vapor can cause intoxication. At a temperature of +80 degrees alcohol boils. When mixed with air, this compound is flammable and may explode. If you heat alcohol to a temperature of +450 degrees, then the liquid can self-ignite.
Isopropyl alcohol easily oxidizes, turning into acetone. It is a powerful solvent and mixes well with water. Exposure to ethanol can damage rubber products. Essential oils and resins are completely dissolved in this alcohol.
Isopropanol is very similar to ethanol in its properties and smell. This similarity provokes some alcohol drinkers to take this liquid inside with the smell of alcohol. However, when asked whether it is possible to drink isopropyl alcohol, doctors give a clear negative answer. Even vapors of this substance in high concentrations can cause poisoning, not to mention the use of alcohol inside.
There are times when a person mistakenly drinks unfamiliar alcohol. However, it is very easy to distinguish this compound from strong drinks. The isopropanol alcohol smell is much more pronounced than that of ethanol.
Production and sale
Propylene is the feedstock for the production of isopropyl. Alcohol is obtained as a result of a hydration reaction in two ways:
- Direct hydration method. Highly purified propylene is taken for the reaction. Under pressure, it is combined with water. Catalysts are used to speed up the process. Hydration results in absolute isopropyl alcohol. This is a quality product with a degree of purification of more than 90%.
- Indirect hydration. In this way, technical isopropyl alcohol is obtained. It has a lower degree of purification than the absolute product. Propylene and sulfuric acid are used for the reaction. As a result of the interaction of these ingredients, not only alcohol is formed, but also various esters.
How many degrees is isopropyl alcohol? On sale, you can find absolute isopropanol. Its strength is 99.7%. This substance is used only as a solvent or cleaner, it is not intended for use inside the body. The price of isopropyl alcohol is from 150 to 300 rubles per 1 liter.
Also on sale is a drug intended for cleaning office equipment. This substance is subjected to more thorough processing, all harmful impurities are removed from it. Such a compound is made under the name "Professional or Rectified Isopropyl Alcohol." Its price is much higher - from 700 to 1100 rubles for 0.5 - 1 liter.
Industrial use
As already mentioned, this alcohol is widely used in various industries. Isopropanol is used in the production of the following products:
- perfumes and cosmetics;
- acetone;
- paints and varnishes;
- external medicines;
- antifreeze;
- resins;
- electronic parts (for cleaning);
- aviation gasoline;
- printed matter (for moisturizing).
It is important to pay attention to the fact that the use of isopropyl alcohol in the food industry is not allowed. This compound is low toxic, but it can still cause intoxication. He is assigned hazard class 3. This means that the substance is moderately toxic. Therefore, such alcohol cannot be used in food production.
Medical use
Only topical use of isopropyl alcohol in medical practice is allowed. This compound has disinfecting properties. It is used for the following purposes:
- for treating the skin before injection;
- for application on a cotton swab (in the treatment of otitis externa);
- as an impregnation for medical napkins.
Thus, we see that in medicine this substance is used only as an external agent. Its use for internal use is not provided.
Can I drink highly purified isopropyl alcohol? This question is sometimes asked by people addicted to alcohol. Doctors give a negative answer. For humans, even very high-quality and purified isopropanol is extremely toxic. The danger of this substance lies not in the presence of impurities, but in the negative effect of alcohol on the body.
Danger
When isopropyl alcohol enters the body, about 15% of this substance is converted to acetone. It is this compound that represents the main danger. It leads to severe intoxication with damage to many organs.
In addition, isopropanol inhibits the central nervous system much more strongly than ethanol. It causes severe intoxication faster. 10 mg of isopropyl alcohol are equal in effect on the body to 100 g of ethanol. In order to get severe intoxication, it is enough to take a small amount of this compound.
That is why doctors negatively answer the question: "Is it possible to drink isopropyl alcohol?" Even a small dose of such a substance can become a potent poison for the body. In many cases, intoxication can develop even with the inhalation of alcohol vapor.
Ways of poisoning
How is isopropanol intoxication occurs? This substance can enter the body in the following ways:
- Through the mouth. Usually people suffering from a severe form of alcohol dependence are poisoned in this way. They consume isopropanol as a substitute for alcohol. Also, an admixture of isopropanol can be contained in low-quality vodka made by artisanal way. In very rare cases, small children are etched with this alcohol if the container with the substance has been left in a place accessible to the child.
- Through the respiratory system. Poisoning occurs when inhaling large concentrations of vapor of a substance, especially in a confined space.
When taken orally, a dose of about 15 mg of pure alcohol is toxic. But even if less isopropanol is ingested, a severe upset stomach with diarrhea can occur.
Intoxication mechanism
Let us consider in more detail the effect of isopropanol on the body. Poisoning with this alcohol develops in several stages:
- Alcohol is absorbed into the walls of the stomach and enters the bloodstream.
- About 80 - 90% of the compound is neutralized in the liver.
- In small quantities, unchanged alcohol leaves the body along with exhaled air and urine.
- About 10 - 20% of isopropanol remains in the bloodstream and turns into acetone.
- In the blood, the level of ketone bodies rises sharply. Acetone affects the tissues of the kidneys, brain and liver.
Toxic substances independently leave the body only 7 to 8 hours after taking alcohol. During this time, acetone has a negative effect on various organs.
Fumes poisoning
When working with isopropanol, it is recommended to wear a protective mask and ventilate the room. This alcohol has increased volatility. Inhalation of its vapor irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory system and eyes. In addition, isopropyl alcohol dramatically inhibits the central nervous system. Intoxication is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- headache;
- nausea
- pain in the eyes;
- coughing
- pain when swallowing;
- lethargy, weakness, or intoxication.
Ingestion
What happens if you drink isopropyl alcohol? If this substance enters the gastrointestinal tract, the following symptoms appear:
- The first signs of poisoning are similar to a picture of ordinary intoxication. A person has dizziness, imbalance and coordination of movements. Speech becomes fuzzy and incomprehensible to others. In this case, intoxication is much more pronounced than with ordinary alcoholic drinks with ethanol.
- A characteristic sign of intoxication is the smell of acetone from the mouth.
- Then a person has a headache, severe weakness and drowsiness. Double vision appears, as with heavy alcohol intoxication.
- There is a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the abdomen, as well as in the liver and kidneys. A man complains of severe pain in his legs.
- When taking a large amount of isopropanol, signs of respiratory depression occur. Cardiac activity is weakening. The patient’s pulse becomes rare, blood pressure decreases to critical numbers. There are seizures. When taking a large dose of alcohol, a person can fall into a coma. Often, kidney failure develops, since acetone affects nephrons.
The lethal dose of isopropanol is 250 mg. A fatal outcome occurs due to respiratory and heart failure.
First aid
If a person has been poisoned with isopropanol vapors or has taken alcohol inside, an ambulance must be called. Treatment of intoxication is carried out in a hospital.
Before the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to provide the patient with first aid:
- It is necessary to rinse the stomach with a solution of baking soda. A person is given a large amount of liquid to drink, and then induce vomiting. This will help remove the remainder of the poison from the digestive tract.
- Enterosorbents should be given to the patient: Smecta, Polysorb, Activated Carbon, Enterosgel.
- If the patient has vomiting, then it is necessary to lay him on his side. This will prevent the inhalation of vomit.
- It is necessary to unbutton the collar and free the person from tight clothing. This will help ease breathing.
- If the patient is poisoned with alcohol vapor, then it is necessary to open the window so that fresh air enters the room.
Possible consequences
Even if the person was helped in time and all the necessary medical measures were taken, the long-term consequences of intoxication cannot be completely ruled out. Poisoning can extremely negatively affect the condition of internal organs and provoke the occurrence of the following pathologies:
- gastritis and ulcerative processes of the stomach;
- toxic kidney nephrosis;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- disorders of the function of endocrine glands;
- residual neurological disorders (periodic headaches, motor coordination disorders, paralysis);
- bronchitis and asthma (in case of poisoning in pairs).
All this suggests that isopropyl alcohol should not be consumed categorically. This can lead not only to dangerous intoxication, but also to disability against the background of serious complications.