Why Is Rubbing Alcohol Poisonous?
Many people don’t realize how dangerous rubbing alcohol can be if accidentally ingested. Unlike drinking alcohol (ethanol), rubbing alcohol is usually made from isopropyl alcohol, which your body breaks down into toxic byproducts like acetone. Even small amounts can cause serious symptoms.
Want to learn more about rubbing alcohol? Check out our detailed blog here.
If you or someone you know has accidentally swallowed rubbing alcohol, don’t wait; call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. It’s fast, free, and available 24/7.
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with a person spraying sanitizer and a person in a mask, with the question “Is rubbing alcohol poison?”.
Sound: Upbeat, light-hearted instrumental music begins.
Visual: Person 1, a man in a blue shirt and shoulder brace, stands behind a wooden table with two champagne glasses filled with clear liquid.
Person 1: Pop quiz, hot shot! Which one of these is alcohol you can drink, and which one is rubbing alcohol? The Poison Center gets a lot of calls about kids accidentally ingesting rubbing alcohol. Maybe it’s ’cause they can’t tell the difference. Maybe it’s ’cause they just want to throw fancy parties. Or maybe they just want to be more like their parents.
Visual: Factory conveyor belt with bottles of alcohol. A bottle of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol appears on the left.
AVO: Drinking Alcohol is made from ethanol, whereas Rubbing Alcohol is commonly made from Isopropyl Alcohol and water
Visual: A person in gloves and a mask wipes a counter with a cloth.
AVO: and is used as a disinfectant.
Visual: Two people in white hazmat suits and blue shoe covers spray a hallway.
AVO: It is quite toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed in large quantities.
Visual: Person 1 is in a studio room talking to the camera.
Person 1: It all comes down to how your body breaks these substances down. It metabolizes Isopropyl Alcohol into nasty byproducts like acetone, which can cause all sorts of symptoms.
Visual: Rubbing alcohol image appears in Person 1’s hand.
Person 1: Keep rubbing alcohol up and out of the reach of children, and make sure the label is facing outward, to avoid any confusion with drinking alcohol.
Visual: Missouri Poison Center logo and map of Missouri. The text “Open 24/7!” and the phone number “1-800-222-1222” appear.
AVO: If you or a child have accidentally ingested rubbing alcohol, call the Missouri Poison Center for fast, free, and confidential assistance.
