Re:The Uselessness of Phenylephrine
by wombatpm on Wednesday March 30, 2022 @05:42PM
(#30861163)
And itβs chemistry that forces the additional benzene in denatured alcohol. Water- ethanol forms an Azeotrope at 95% ethanol. Benzene is added to break the azeotrope and get to 99.99% ethanol. Chemistry not a conspiracy
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No one is selling 99.99% grade alcohol as an antiseptic in the US. Its usually 70%.
There are additives in ethanol sold as an antiseptic to discourage drinking (various bitterants, not benzene).
No one is selling 70% ethanol as an antiseptic, it's isopropyl alcohol. Those additives in ethanol not intended for consumption are 8 parts acetone and 1.5 parts methyl isobutyl ketone to 100 parts ethanol. There are some rare ethanol based rubbing alcohols sold but the vast majority is isopropyl because it's not just denatured with bitterants, they add toxic substances as well.
Here's the actual formula they have to use that's enshrined in the law. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/27/21.49
Ethanol as an antiseptic is less common, but its definitely a thing: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Rubbing-Alcohol-Antisept...
Its general sold as "ethyl alcohol" not ethanol, but its the same thing.