HomeAnswersToxicologytoxic chemical substancesWhat is the risk of ethanol inhalation?

Is there any risk from short-term exposure to ethanol?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Sugandh Garg

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At June 28, 2017
Reviewed AtJune 19, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I want to know if there is a short-term health risk due to the inhalation of 70 % ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. I do not mean the hand wash, but the pure liquid, which I use for electronic repairing and cleaning. I almost always use an organic vapor mask or gas mask. If I work long hours, I use activated-carbon filter to purify the air. But, I sometimes think I am over cautious, and that makes people around me more scared of working with it. If I just want to use the ethanol to clean something for two to five minutes, should I still need to use the mask? I am only talking about inhalation as I always use gloves and eye protection.

Answered by Dr. Sugandh Garg

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. An occasional brief exposure of not more than two minutes, as you mentioned, can be done without a mask. However, it is always recommended to use protection when dealing with poisonous gases, especially when you are working in that environment regularly.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sugandh Garg
Dr. Sugandh Garg

Internal Medicine

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