Isopropyl alcohol
Agent Name
Isopropyl alcohol
Alternative Name
2-Propanol
CAS Number
67-63-0
Formula
C3-H8-O
Major Category
Solvents
Synonyms
1-Methylethanol; 1-Methylethyl alcohol; 2-Hydroxypropane; 2-Propanol; 2-Propyl alcohol; Alcojel; Alcolo; Alcool isopropilico [Italian]; Alcool isopropylique [French]; Alcosolve; Alcosolve 2; Alkolave; Arquad DMCB; Avantin; Avantine; Combi-schutz; Dimethylcarbinol; Hartosol; Imsol A; Iso-propylalkohol [German]; Isohol; Isopropanol; Isopropyl alcohol; Isopropyl alcohol, rubbing; Lavacol; Lutosol; Petrohol; Propol; Spectrar; Sterisol hand disinfectant; Takineocol; Visco 1152; i-Propanol [German]; i-Propyl alcohol; i-Propylalkohol [German]; n-Propan-2-ol; sec-Propyl alcohol; [ChemIDplus] UN1219; UN1993
Category
Alcohols (<C12)
Description
Colorless liquid with the odor of rubbing alcohol; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as a fuel antifreeze and an intermediate in the synthesis of organic chemicals; also used as a solvent for oils, resins, cosmetics, and many other household products; [ACGIH] Used as a disinfectant; [www.healthcouncil.nl]
Comments
Isopropyl alcohol causes narcosis in acute animal studies. [ACGIH] Isopropyl alcohol is not hepatotoxic in experimental animal studies or in human exposures. [Zimmerman, p. 367] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
BEI
Acetone in urine = 40 mg/L at end of shift at end of work week;
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
No
TLV (ACGIH)
200 ppm
STEL (ACGIH)
400 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
400 ppm
MAK
200 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
2000 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Ten volunteers exposed for 3 to 5 minutes to 200, 400, or 800 ppm reported mild to moderate irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat at the two higher concentrations [Nelson et al. 1943].
Vapor Pressure
45.4 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
1 ppm
Odor Threshold High
610 ppm
RD50
17693 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 16,000 ppm/8H
Explanatory Notes
IDLH = 10% LEL; Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 43 ppm); Flash point = 12 deg C; VP from HSDB;
Half Life
Whole body: 6 hours; whole body for acetone, a metabolite: 22 hours; [TDR, p. 781]
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: