Ethanol

Formula: C₂H₆O | CAS: 64-17-5

Detecting ethanol: Increasingly being used as a biofuel. Alcohol-based hand gels in the form of liquids, foams and gels can contain up to 95% ethanol.

Detecting Ethanol in everyday consumer products

Ethanol is most commonly used in alcoholic beverages; however, there are many more household and workplace items in which it is used:

• Manufacture of varnishes
• Nail polish remover
• Perfumes
• Biofuel
• Gasoline additive
• Preservative for biochemical samples
• Medicines
• Household cleaning products
• Beauty products
• Various solvents

Ethanol (ETOH) is added to unleaded gasoline to decrease environmental levels of carbon monoxide from automobiles emissions. Therefore, addition of ETOH in reformulated fuel will most likely increase and the involuntarily human exposure to this chemical will also increase. This preliminary study was undertaken to evaluate the possible neuromotor effects resulting from acute ETOH exposure by inhalation in humans.
– National Library of Medicine

An effective and resourceful ingredient worldwide

Ethanol is primarily produced from the fermentation of starch in corn grain. In the fuel industry, biorefineries use state-of-the-art technologies to convert grains, beverage and food waste, cellulosic biomass and other feedstocks into high-octane ethanol.

Because ethanol is effective in killing microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses, it is a common ingredient in many hand sanitisers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of hand sanitisers in situations where soap and water are not available. Among being used for healthcare, Ethanol also mixes easily with water and many organic compounds, and makes an effective solvent for use in paints, lacquers and varnish.