| Agent Name |
Ethyl alcohol |
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| Alternative Name |
Ethanol |
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| CAS Number |
64-17-5 |
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| Formula |
C2-H6-O |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
1-Hydroxyethane; Absolute ethanol; Aethanol [German]; Aethylalkohol [German]; Alcohol; Alcohol (ethyl alcohol); Alcohol dehydrated; Alcohol, anhydrous; Alcohol, diluted; Alcohol, ethyl; Alcohols; Alcool ethylique [French]; Alcool etilico [Italian]; Algrain; Alkohol [German]; Alkoholu etylowego [Polish]; Anhydrol; Cologne Spirit; Denatured alcohol; Denatured alcohol CD-10; Denatured alcohol CD-5; Denatured alcohol CD-5a; Denatured alcohol SD-1; Denatured alcohol SD-13a; Denatured alcohol SD-17; Denatured alcohol SD-23a; Denatured alcohol SD-28; Denatured alcohol SD-30; Denatured alcohol SD-39b; Denatured alcohol SD-39c; Denatured alcohol SD-3a; Denatured alcohol SD-40m; Denatured ethanol; EtOH; Etanolo [Italian]; Ethanol 200 proof; Ethanol [JAN]; Ethanol solution; Ethyl alcohol; Ethyl alcohol & water, 10%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 20%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 30%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 40%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 5%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 50%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 60%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 70%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 80%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 95%; Ethyl alcohol & water, 96%; Ethyl alcohol anhydrous; Ethyl alcohol usp; Ethyl hydrate; Ethyl hydroxide; Ethylalcohol [Dutch]; Etylowy alkohol [Polish]; Fermentation alcohol; Grain alcohol; Hydroxyethane; Jaysol S; Methylcarbinol; Molasses alcohol; Potato alcohol; SD Alchol 23-hydrogen; Spirits of wine; Tecsol; Tecsol C; [ChemIDplus] UN1987; UN1170 |
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| Category |
Alcohols and Polyols |
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| Description |
Clear, colorless liquid with a weak, ethereal, vinous odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
"Clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES." [ChemIDplus] |
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| Comments |
Drinking alcoholic beverages is a known human carcinogen listed by the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP). That ethyl alcohol is unlikely to be an occupational carcinogen is reflected by its classification as "5" by MAC. MAC defines "5" as, "Substances with carcinogenic and genotoxic effects, the potency of which is considered to be so low that, provided the MAK and BAT values are observed, no significant contribution to human cancer risk is to be expected." Drinking alcoholic beverages is also a reproductive hazard, causing fetal alcohol syndrome. Low level occupational exposures are not likely to harm the fetus. [Frazier, p. 175-7] Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; An eye and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
National Toxicology Program 9th Report on Carcinogens |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
1000 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1000 ppm |
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| MAK |
500 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
3300 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It was reported in a clinical study that concentrations greater than 20,900 ppm were intolerably irritating and 15,000 ppm caused continuous lacrimation and coughing while concentrations between 5,200 and 10,400 ppm allowed work to be carried on, but with a certain amount of discomfort [Lester and Greenberg 1951]. In this same study, it was determined that 62% of the ethyl alcohol inhaled was absorbed [Lester and Greenberg 1951]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
59.3 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
49 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
716 ppm |
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| RD50 |
27314 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 20,000 ppm/10H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
See 2008 Notice of Intended Changes; [ACGIH] IDLH = 10% LEL; Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 180 ppm); Flash point = 55 deg F; |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: ETHANOL
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