Science Journal

Why Can You not Drink Rubbing Alcohol?

As you have read the last chapter, an ethyl alcohol is safe to drink but the toxic compound added makes it poisonous while isopropyl is inherently toxic. But I wondered if I could chemically separate the drinkable component from the toxic compound so I could sell or drink that pure ethyl alcohol.

According to Google, the compound responsible for making ethyl rubbing alcohol undrinkable is Denatonium Benzoate. Isopropyl also contains it and it is the bitterest compound known to men but, unfortunately, it is easily dissolved to an ethyl alcohol. It is hard to separate the said compound chemically from ethanol. But the most dangerous component in rubbing alcohol is Acetone. Isopropyl does not have it but if ingested the body convert isopropyl into acetone.

Acetone is a toxic industrial solvent used in the production of painted plastics and what ladies like to remove the nail polish they formerly put on, out of boredom. Fun fact, our body produces acetone, one of the three types of ketones. Ketones are the byproduct of the fat which the body breaks down. It acts as a fuel or energy to keep the body functioning. However, if the number of ketones went unusually high it will lead to fatal condition, ketoacidosis. This condition is when ketones build up in blood, which in turn become acidic that leads to organ damage, coma or death.

So if you want to do some prank do not trick someone to drink the rubbing alcohol you are offering. Not cool. Unless you want to go to jail.