In industry and everyday life, denatured alcohol is often used. This liquid has an unpleasant odor and taste. Mass poisoning from the use of denatured alcohol as an alcoholic drink is also known.
Composition of denatured alcohol
What is denatured alcohol? Translated from Latin, its name means "devoid of natural properties." This is a bluish-purple liquid with an unpleasant odor. Ethyl alcohol (is the basis), kerosene, isopropanol and methanol are a part of denatured alcohol. Also, its composition may additionally include gasoline, pyridine, some dye and other substances. The composition depends on the purpose of the fluid and may vary. Each country sets its own legislation on the composition of denatured alcohol, depending on the scope.
Most often, crude ethyl alcohol that has not yet been rectified (refined) is used for the production of methylated spirits. Such alcohol contains fusel oils and methanol, which are very toxic. All other additives are also prohibited for internal use. In the end result, ethyl alcohol becomes unsightly as a consumed drink: an unpleasant smell, taste and color appear. It is impossible to isolate pure alcohol from denatured alcohol by simple chemical reactions in everyday life (freezing, distillation, filtration).
Properties of Meth
After conversion from ethyl alcohol to methylated spirit with the help of various harmful impurities, the resulting liquid becomes poisonous and very dangerous for humans. Even inhaling the vapors of a given liquid is toxic to humans and animals. Therefore, the question of what denatured alcohol can safely be answered: this is poison.
Symptoms of poisoning with denatured alcohol:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- bowel disorder;
- visual impairment.
In especially severe cases, the following appear:
- bluish tint of the skin of the face;
- labored breathing;
- weak rapid pulse;
- complete loss of vision.
In order to visually distinguish denatured alcohol from pure alcohol, coloring agents are added . The existing instructions indicate methods for denaturing alcohol for the preparation of products in various industries: paint, perfume and others.
The property of denatured alcohol to dissolve varnishes and paints is used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes. The useful properties of industrial alcohol also include the ability to degrease contaminated surfaces, dissolve various resins, varnishes, paints.
Industrial use of denatured alcohol
The scope of denatured alcohol is quite extensive. It is used in the manufacture of:
- paint and varnish production;
- detergents;
- chemical pharmaceutical preparations;
- fuel additives (to increase the octane number of internal combustion engines).
In some industries, such alcohol is used for laboratory tests as burners.
It should be noted that for some technical needs complete denaturation of ethyl alcohol is not allowed.
For example, when using methylated spirits as disinfectants, only formalin or thymol is added to ethanol. For the preparation of garden, zoological preparations, formalin, wood alcohol are added. Special additives have also been developed for the denaturation of chemical pharmaceutical preparations (chloroform, iodoform, esters, tannin, and others).
For the production of perfumes, bitrex is most often used as an additive to ethyl alcohol. This substance is not harmful to health, but has a very bitter taste. Giving bitterness makes alcohol unattractive for internal use and not dangerous even if it enters the body. Many well-known brands of perfumes and eau de toilette contain denatured alcohol.
The use of denatured alcohol in everyday life and traditional medicine
Denatured alcohol is used in the fight against insects as a deterrent because of its sharp unpleasant odor (bugs, cockroaches). It is used in everyday life and in veterinary medicine to disinfect objects, plants and animals.
In addition, it is used in everyday life for:
- removal of various spots;
- kindling of burners;
- space heating;
- prevent freezing of windows;
- cleaning and washing contaminated surfaces.
What is denatured alcohol? It can also be attributed to drugs. Alternative medicine sometimes uses methylated spirits. Most often, it is included in the composition of ointments and compresses in the treatment of diseases associated with joints. It is also used as lotions for wound healing.
From the foregoing, we can conclude that what is denatured alcohol. Denatured alcohol is a liquid made from ethyl alcohol with the addition of various non-food additives. It can cause severe poisoning when ingested, but also cures some diseases. Denatured alcohol is a flammable agent. It must be stored in a tightly closed container in compliance with fire regulations and used strictly for its intended purpose.