Denatured Alcohol vs rubbing alcohol | Detailed Explanation

Denatured alcohol vs rubbing alcohol have only one word difference but are vastly different. The former is toxic to the human body and should not be used externally or in long-term contact. The latter is mostly used for disinfecting the surface of the skin and is non-toxic to the human body. However, it is important to pay attention to storage methods to avoid explosions. What are the differences between them? Let’s explore this in detail.

Introduction of Denatured Alcohol vs Rubbing Alcohol

1.Denatured Alcohol

The concentration of denatured alcohol is about 95% to 99%. There is also a certain amount of formaldehyde acid and methanol, which are highly toxic, especially affecting the nervous system and blood system of the human body. When people are exposed to it for a long time, it may lead to nerve atrophy, vision degeneration, and even blindness in severe cases.

Denatured alcohol is mainly produced through fermentation. Using starchy crops such as potatoes as raw materials, after cooking, saccharification, and other processes, the starch in them is converted into fermentable sugars, which are fermented by microorganisms to produce alcohol. After multiple evaporations, these alcohols reach a concentration of 95% ethanol, which can meet the needs of industrial production.

Methanol is one of the by-products of this process. Pectin in the skin of grain materials releases methyl galacturonic acid during the boiling process, which hydrolyzes to produce methanol. If the saccharification agent added during the saccharification process contains relatively high levels of pectinase, it will result in the production of more methanol. After a long fermentation process, methanol will be distilled along with ethanol, remaining in the final product.

It is toxic and harmful, and prolonged exposure can cause great harm to the human body. denatured alcohol poisoning usually occurs in two forms: acute and chronic poisoning. Acute poisoning generally causes symptoms such as headache, stomach pain, blurred vision, even blindness, and difficulty breathing, which can lead to death in severe cases. If it is chronic poisoning, symptoms such as dizziness, vision loss, and lethargy may occur.

2.Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a mixture, mainly composed of ethanol. It is commonly used for disinfection and contains 75% ethanol concentration. It is flammable and volatile, and its vapor can form explosive mixtures with air, which can cause combustion and explosion in the presence of open flames and high heat energy. It can also react chemically or cause combustion when in contact with oxidants. If used and stored improperly, it can easily cause fires. If the clothes on the body catch fire, immediately cover your face with both hands hold your breath, and use the local rolling method to extinguish the fire on the clothes. If there is no fire extinguisher, a wet cloth or wet quilt can be directly covered on the burning body for disposal, but be sure to wet it thoroughly.

It cannot be taken. Medical alcohol with a 75% ethanol concentration can play a role in disinfection and sterilization, but this effect is limited to outside the human body.  Once alcohol enters the human body, it will be diluted by body fluids, and its sterilizing effect will rapidly weaken, which can instead cause toxicity to the human body.

It cannot be sprayed for use. The explosive limit of alcohol is 3.3%-19%, and it may explode in the presence of open flames or static electricity. When using medical alcohol indoors, it is forbidden to disinfect by directly spraying it in the air, and it is even more forbidden to spray alcohol on the body, which can easily cause fires.

Denatured Alcohol vs Rubbing Alcohol

Their properties are different. Denaturated alcohol is produced by cracking raw coal or petroleum and contains a large amount of impurities such as methanol and formaldehyde, which are difficult to separate. The latter is made from corn or other grains through enzymatic fermentation with minimal impurities.

Their alcohol content is different. The former is composed of 95% ethanol and 5% methanol, formaldehyde, etc. The purity of the latter varies, with the common ones being 95% and 75%. 75% alcohol is composed of 75% alcohol and 25% water.

Their toxicity varies. The former cannot be used for disinfection of the human body, as methanol can cause poisoning, and some parts used for skin disinfection can also be absorbed by the skin. Severe poisoning can lead to blindness or even death. The latter, due to its low concentration, can be used for disinfection of the human body.

Their purposes are different. The former can be used in printing, electronics, hardware, spices, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical synthesis, and other fields. Can be used as a cleaning agent or solvent. Mainly used for disinfection and sterilization. Be sure to check if it is medical alcohol when making a purchase. Common medical alcohol has a proportion of 75% and 95%, and according to current research, 75% of medical alcohol has a better disinfection effect.

Conclusion

To sum up, denatured alcohol vs rubbing alcohol, the former is toxic to the human body and cannot be applied externally to the skin; the latter can be used for skin disinfection. It is recommended to avoid direct contact with denatured alcohol in daily life and take personal protective measures. If any symptoms occur, it is necessary to seek medical attention in time.