HAZARD Database
HAZARD Database
Chemical Teratogens, Carcinogens, Mutagens
HAZARD SUMMARY
* Isopropyl Alcohol can affect you when breathed in and by
passing through your skin.
* There is an increased risk of cancer associated with the
manufacturing of Isopropyl Alcohol.
* Exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, mouth, and
throat.
* Overexposure may cause headaches, drowsiness, clumsiness,
unconsciousness, and death.
* Contact may irritate the skin. Repeated skin exposure can
cause itching, a rash, and drying and cracking.
* Isopropyl Alcohol is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD.
IDENTIFICATION
Isopropyl Alcohol is a colorless liquid. Rubbing alcohol is a
solution of Isopropyl Alcohol. It is used as a solvent and in
making many commercial products.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Isopropyl Alcohol is on the Hazardous Substance List because
it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NFPA and EPA.
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List
because it is FLAMMABLE.
* Definitions are attached.
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Isopropyl Alcohol:
* It may irritate the skin, causing a rash or burning feeling on
contact.
* Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
* Overexposure to the vapor may cause headaches, drowsiness, a
loss of coordination, collapse, and death.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Isopropyl Alcohol and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* There is an increased incidence of nasal sinus cancer in
workers involved in the manufacture of Isopropyl Alcohol by
the strong acid process. There is no evidence that Isopropyl
Alcohol is a carcinogen.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Isopropyl Alcohol has not been
tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* Skin exposure can cause itching, redness, and rashes in some
people. Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause dryness and
cracking of skin.
* This chemical has not been adequately evaluated to determine
whether brain or other nerve damage could occur with repeated
exposure. However, many solvents and other petroleum based
chemicals have been shown to cause such damage. Effects may
include reduced memory and concentration, personality changes
(withdrawal, irritability), fatigue, sleep disturbances,
reduced coordination, and/or effects on nerves supplying
internal organs (autonomic nerves) and/or nerves to the arms
and legs (weakness, "pins and needles").
Common Name: Isopropyl Alcohol
DOT Number: UN 1219
DOT Emergency Guide code: 26
CAS Number: 67-63-0
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 3
REACTIVITY - 0
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POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
PHYSICAL DATA
Vapor Pressure: 33 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
Flash Point: 53oF (11.6oC)
Water Solubility: Miscible
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
2-Propanol
Other Names and Formulations:
Rubbing Alcohol; Dimethylcarbinol; Isopro panol; sec-Propyl
Alcohol.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Isopropyl alcohol is a clear, flammable liquid with numerous uses.
It is used in antifreeze; as a solvent for gums, shellac and
essential oils; in quick-drying inks and oils; in cosmetics such as
body rubs, hand lotions and after-shave lotions; and to make other
chemicals. It may enter the environment from industrial
discharges, municipal waste water treatment discharges, or spills.
ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
a toxic chemical substance.
Isopropyl alcohol has slight toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-
term effects of isopropyl alcohol to plants, birds, or land
animals.
CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive
problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior.
Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic
chemical.
Isopropyl alcohol has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-
term effects of isopropyl alcohol to plants, birds, or land
animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Isopropyl alcohol is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of
1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Isopropyl alcohol is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life
of between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the
amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be
degraded. About 77.5% of isopropyl alchohol will eventually end up
in water; the rest will end up in the air.
BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
living oranisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
and humans.
The concentration of isopropyl alcohol found in fish tissues is
expected to be about the same as the average concentration of
isopropyl alcohol in the water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA,
Phytotox.
For detasils See:TRIFact DB