Tag: Toxic alcohols

The intoxicating substance in all alcoholic beverages is known scientifically as ethanol. This specific type of alcohol is produced through the fermentation of sugars by yeast and is the only kind safe for human consumption.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), no level of alcohol consumption is considered completely safe regarding health risks, especially cancer risk. The only type of alcohol found in beverages, ethanol, is the one which alcohol is non-toxic for human consumption in *relative* terms and moderate amounts, compared to highly toxic forms like methanol or isopropanol.

According to a study conducted on rabbits, 1-propanol is 2 to 4 times more potent than ethanol, indicating its heightened toxicity. The simple answer to the question, 'Is propanol consumable?', is a definitive and unequivocal no, as ingesting this chemical can lead to severe and potentially fatal consequences.

While 'alcohol' often refers to alcoholic beverages, chemistry reveals ethanol is only one member of a large organic compound family. Ingesting other alcohols, even small amounts, can cause severe health complications.

Globally, ethanol is the sole type of alcohol deemed safe for human consumption, a crucial distinction that many people are unaware of. This is because other alcohols, such as methanol and isopropanol, are highly poisonous and can cause severe illness, blindness, or even death, even in small amounts.