can i iso alchol to clean intake throtale body

Hazards of Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

As we've discussed in a previous post, there are many advantages of using isopropyl alcohol in the manufacturing process because of its low cost, but what we didn't cover is some of the risks and dangers of isopropyl alcohol. Today we'll cover some of those issues so that you can take full advantage of isopropyl alcohol benefits while mitigating the hazards of this potentially dangerous liquid.

Warning: In case of emergency or accidental consumption, immediately seek medical attention or consult with a healthcare professional. Production Automation Corporation (PAC) does not provide medical advice or patient-specific recommendations. The information herein is educational only.

In case of emergency:

1. Emergency: Move to Fresh Air Immediately and Call 9-1-1
2. Non-Emergency: Poison Control Hotline – 1-800-222-1222
3. For questions about toxicity or exposure risk, please contact the manufacturer

How Flammable is Isopropyl Alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable and can easily ignite. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air, traveling to a source of ignition and flash back, and use of water spray to fight fires may be inefficient. Isopropyl alcohol should be kept away from heat, sparks, flames and other sources of ignition, as well as strong oxidizers, acetaldehyde, chlorine, ethylene oxide, acids, and isocyanates. A flammable safety cabinet is the best storage option.

Another danger of using isopropyl alcohol is poisoning. IPA poisoning occurs when the liver is no longer able to manage the amount of IPA in the body. Your body can handle small amounts of isopropyl alcohol. In fact, your kidneys remove approximately 20 to 50 percent of IPA from your body. The rest is broken down into acetone by enzymes known as alcohol dehydrogenases. This acetone is filtered out of your body through the lungs or kidneys.

Why is 70% IPA a Better Sanitizer than 99%?
Why Isopropyl Alcohol Quality Matters

What Happens if You Ingest Isopropyl Alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol can enter the body three ways: ingestion, inhalation, and absorption.

The first way is most direct, and easiest to avoid. Since ingesting IPA causes rapid intoxication, people sometimes drink it when conventional alcohol is unavailable, or as a means of suicide. ingesting isopropyl alcohol has an immediate effect on the central nervous system, which controls the involuntary actions of the body, including heartbeat, breathing, and gag reflex. Isopropyl alcohol slows these functions and may shut them down altogether. IPA is so strong that it can induce hypothermia and subsequent cardiac arrest. The blood's thinning also causes blood sugar levels to fall so sharply that seizures may result.

Limiting access to large amounts of IPA can deter people from misusing the product in this way. IPA should always be kept in a container clearly marked, preferably with a GHS label. It should never be kept anywhere or in anything that might be mistaken for consumption, for example in a water bottle, or near where food is prepared or consumed.

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation occurs anytime you are around an open container, although working with reasonable amounts of IPA is generally safe, it can cause headaches. Inhaling large amounts of isopropyl alcohol can cause nausea, vomiting, irritation of the nose and mucous membranes, throat irritations, and even difficulty with breathing as coughing can occur making it difficult for you to catch your breath.

Read More: Why is 70% IPA a Better Disinfectant than 99%?

What Are the Side-Effects of Isopropyl Alcohol Poisoning?

Some of the effects of IPA poisoning are as follows:

Dizziness
Low blood pressure
Stomach pain
Nausea
Rapid heart rate, or tachycardia
Low body temperature
Slurred speech
Slow breathing
Vomiting
Unresponsive reflexes
Throat pain or burning
Seizure
Coma

If you experience any of these symptoms after exposure to IPA, or if you see symptoms in another, the first step is to remove yourself or the individual from further exposure and place them in a fresh air environment. If symptoms persist, immediately seek medical attention.

Further treatment depends on the extent of exposure and the type of exposure. When isopropyl alcohol has been ingested, individuals who are conscious and not convulsing should drink one to two glasses of water to dilute the chemical. Do not induce vomiting, as the chemical can be aspirated into the lungs causing further damage. A medical professional may use laxatives and activated charcoal to clear stomach contents.

In the event of inhalation exposure, the individual should be moved into the open air. If fresh air does not improve symptoms, medical help should be called to provide respiratory support, along with oxygen and fluids when high-level inhalation exposure has occurred.

When contact with the skin has occurred, the affected skin should be flooded with water and then gently and thoroughly washed with soap and water. In the event of a large spill in contact with skin, wash and monitor for signs of poisoning, seek medical treatment if symptoms appear.

If the affected individual is wearing contact lenses, they need to be removed. The eyes should then be flushed with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes or longer if necessary, lifting the upper and lower lids occasionally.

The more informed users are of the dangers of products, the easier it is to maintain safety. When using IPA in a workplace, make sure all of the employees are trained in the proper use of isopropyl alcohol, have access to safety equipment, and understand the symptoms of poisoning so that they can recognize it in themselves or others.

If breathing is impaired for an extended period of time and there is trouble getting enough oxygen into the bloodstream, you can become dizzy and even lose consciousness and require resuscitation. Always use IPA in a well-ventilated area and utilize proper safety equipment in the event of a spill. If someone experiences breathing problems, the individual should immediately be removed and placed into fresh air. If the person's breathing is still impeded, call 911 immediately.

Isopropyl alcohol is readily absorbed through the skin, so spilling large amounts of IPA on the skin may cause accidental poisoning. Small amounts of IPA on the skin is generally not dangerous, but repeated skin exposure can cause itching, redness, rash, drying, and cracking. Prolonged skin contact may cause corrosion. Always wash thoroughly with soap and water when contact with IPA occurs, and always use safety equipment when dealing with large amounts of IPA.

Production Automation offers not only offer the IPA itself, but also the safety wear and products end users should be implemented when using isopropyl alcohol. Click any of the links below to find relevant products, or contact us at 888-903-0333 or [email protected] if you would like a quote, recommendations, or have questions.

Isopropyl Alcohol
Flammable Storage
Dispensing Bottles
Chemical Resistant Gloves
Eye Protection
Printers/Labels for container marking

Guide to USP <1072> Disinfectants & Sporicides

USP outlines decontamination practices for critical environments.In this post, we'll outline the types of chemical disinfectants and sterilants used in cleanrooms and laboratories. This includes isopropyl alcohol, bleach, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid.
Carbon Dioxide: Dangers & Management

Carbon dioxide becomes dangerous to people and animals when it begins to displace oxygen. An asphyxiant gas is a nontoxic (in the case of carbon dioxide) gas which reduces or displaces the oxygen concentration in…