Isopropyl alcohol

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), also known as rubbing alcohol or isopropanol, is a colorless, volatile liquid with a strong odor. It is a common and versatile cleaning fluid.

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˌaɪsoʊˈproʊpɪl ˈælkəhɔːl/

Etymology

The term "isopropyl" comes from the Greek words "iso" meaning "equal" and "propyl" meaning "a chemical compound with three carbon atoms". The term "alcohol" is derived from the Arabic word "al-kuhl", which means "the essence".

Usage

Isopropyl alcohol is widely used as a solvent and as an antiseptic. It can also be used to cool and minimize pain in the skin and to prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Related Terms

  • Antiseptic: A substance that inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms.
  • Solvent: A substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution.
  • Disinfectant: A chemical agent used to destroy or inhibit the activity of disease-causing microorganisms.
  • Denatured Alcohol: Ethanol mixed with other chemicals to make it unfit for consumption.

Health Risks

While isopropyl alcohol is safe for topical use in humans, it can be harmful if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include headache, dizziness, and nausea.

See Also

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski