Denatured ethanol is a type of ethanol that has been mixed with toxic additives to make it unsuitable for human consumption. Ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, is a common ingredient in alcoholic beverages and biofuels. However, ethanol is also subject to heavy taxes and regulations in many countries, which makes it expensive and difficult to obtain for industrial or household purposes. To avoid these taxes and regulations, ethanol is often “denatured”, or treated with added chemicals that make it poisonous, bad-tasting, foul-smelling, or nauseating.
How is ethanol denatured?
There are hundreds of additives and methods that can be used to denature ethanol, depending on the intended use and the local regulations. The main additive is usually methanol (methyl alcohol), which is highly toxic and can cause blindness or death if ingested. Other common additives include isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, pyridine, and denatonium. Some denatured alcohol products may also be dyed to make them visually distinguishable from pure ethanol.
The process of denaturing does not alter the chemical or physical properties of ethanol itself, except for its taste and smell. Denatured ethanol still contains the same amount of alcohol (ethanol) per volume as pure ethanol, and it still has the same flammability, solubility, and volatility characteristics.
What are the uses of denatured ethanol?
Denatured ethanol is widely used as a solvent and as a fuel for alcohol burners and camping stoves. It is also used in some cosmetics and skincare products as a drying agent, as it evaporates quickly and removes excess oil from the skin. However, denatured alcohol can also cause skin irritation, dryness, and breakouts, especially if it contains methanol or other harsh additives.
Denatured ethanol is not suitable for food or beverage applications, or for certain chemical reactions where the additives would interfere. For example, denatured alcohol should not be used for the precipitation of nucleic acids in molecular biology, as the additives may affect the downstream applications.
What are the effects of denatured ethanol?
Denatured ethanol is not meant to be consumed by humans or animals, as it can cause serious health problems or even death. The effects of denatured alcohol depend on the type and amount of additives present, as well as the amount ingested. Some of the possible effects are:
- Methanol poisoning: Methanol is one of the most common and dangerous additives in denatured ethanol. It can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, blindness, seizures, coma, and death. Methanol poisoning requires immediate medical attention and treatment with an antidote such as fomepizole or ethanol.
- Acetone poisoning: Acetone is another common additive in denatured ethanol. It can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, confusion, and coma. Acetone poisoning can also affect the blood sugar levels and cause ketoacidosis in diabetic patients. Acetone poisoning may require supportive care and intravenous fluids.
- Isopropyl alcohol poisoning: Isopropyl alcohol is also frequently added to denatured alcohol. It can cause similar symptoms as methanol and acetone poisoning, but also irritation of the mucous membranes, low blood pressure, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest. Isopropyl alcohol poisoning may require gastric lavage (stomach pumping), activated charcoal, hemodialysis (blood filtering), and supportive care.
- Denatonium toxicity: Denatonium is a bitter compound that is added to denatured alcohol to make it unpalatable. It can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Denatonium toxicity may require rinsing the mouth with water or milk, drinking fluids, and taking antihistamines or steroids to reduce inflammation.
Conclusion
Denatured ethanol is a type of ethanol that has been mixed with toxic additives to make it unfit for human consumption. It is used for various industrial and household purposes that do not involve drinking or eating. However, denatured ethanol can still cause serious health problems or even death if ingested accidentally or intentionally. Therefore, it should be handled with care and kept away from children and pets.
