Here is a bit from a chemist.....


Ethanol is a hydrocarbon alcohol with 2 carbon atoms in its structure.

Isopropanol is a hydrocarbon alcohol with 3 carbon atoms in its structure.

Ethanol is the alcohol present in alcoholic beverages.

Isopropanol cannot be consumed.

70% of either means that the product contains 30% water and 70% alcohol.

Denatured means that some toxic compound has been added to the product to make it undrinkable.

90 or 95% for injection site prep means it is most commonly used to scrub off the skin prior to giving an injection. The higher concentration of alcohol more rapidly and effectively kills skin organisms. It also cleans off skin oils, dead skin, etc that are sources of contamination when the needle pokes the skin barrier.

Both alcohols are used for various skin rubbing/cleaning purposes, but "rubbing alcohol" is generally 70% isopropanol.

The 90 or 95% ethanol will burn better than the 70% alcohols.

90% == 180 proof
70% == 140 proof

Everclear is usually about 90% ethanol drinkable, and taxed...not enjoyable but drinkable. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />