Have
you ever had an ear infection? Do you wonder what steps could be taken to avoid
this problem from occurring? Isopropyl alcohol is one solution to this problem.
This chemical is commonly known as rubbing alcohol, which is a readily
available, multi-purpose product. At times its advantageous qualities are
overlooked. Silverstein (2012) outlines rubbing alcohol, describing it as
antimicrobial, with high evaporation properties making it ideal for dissolving
ear wax, while at the same time lowering the potential for infection within the
human ear canal (p.1). This means that for individuals that are frequent swimmers,
and have a hard time clearing water out of their ears to prevent swimmers ear,
can use just common rubbing alcohol. Taking into account, pressure,
concentration, air flow rate, and
temperature makes a molecule evaporate faster (Nivaldo, 2011, p.383).
This means when combining rubbing alcohol (faster evaporation than water) with
water molecules, it actually speeds up the evaporation of the water molecules.
Schlager (2006) outlined the chemical properties of isopropyl
alcohol which included: colorless, flammable, and emitting a sweet odor
(p.387). Schlager (2006) discusses how:
"In 2004, about 600 million kilograms (about
1.4 billion pounds) of isopropyl alcohol were produced in the United States,
with about half of that used as an industrial solvent and about a third used in
the preparation of other chemical commodities." (P.387)
While the benefits of rubbing alcohol may be obvious, it is also
important to consider how rubbing alcohol can elicit toxic effects. The United
States Department of Labour (2010) outlines exposure to about 500 parts per
million (ppm) is the limit of what an individual should be exposed to within a
fifteen minute time period of direct contact (p.1). Exposure to 400 ppm through
indirect exposure throughout a regular workday (eight hour) is considered to be
the maximum (United States Department of Labour, 2010, p.1). If an individual
is in contact with rubbing alcohol on day to day basis it is necessary to
understand the risks associated with it. The central nervous can become
depressed leading to symptoms which include: nausea, vomiting, and irritation
of the eyes (Sciencelab.com, Inc, p.2).
Most chemicals that have a toxic effect are rated with a scale
rating called an LD50. In Sciencelab.com,Inc (2012) electronic material safety
data sheet for isopropyl alcohol rates this chemical within two categories
being oral ingestion and direct skin contact which are 5045 mg/kg, and 12800 mg/kg (which is
considerably dangerous for an human) respectively (p.3).
What
kind of chemical can be used in place of ribbing alcohol? One company outlines
on their website that hydrogen peroxide is a very suitable substitute as an
disinfectant, which can used industrially and orally within the human mouth
(Lenntech, 2011, p.1). However, it doesn’t poses the same evaporation
properties that are found within isopropyl alcohol. In conclusion, for those
who have frequent ear infection problems isopropyl alcohol is a suitable option
to prevent infections within the ear canal, but should be used with caution
when it comes to long term exposure.
References
Nivaldo,
T. (2011). Basic Chemistry (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.
Lenntech,
(2011). Disinfectants hydrogen peroxide. Retireieved April 1, 2012, from http:// www.lenntech.com/processes/disinfection/chemical/disinfectants-hydrogen-
peroxide.htm.
Schlager, E., Weisblatt, J., & Newton, D. (2006). Isopropyl
alcohol. Chemical Compounds, 2(1), 387-389.
Science
Lab.com, Inc. (2012). Isopropyl alcohol
MSDS.
Retrieved April 1, 2012, from http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924412.
Silverstein, H., Wycherly, B. J., Alameda, Y., & Van Ess, M.
J. (2012). A prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of isopropyl alcohol
irrigations to prevent cerumen impaction.
ENT: Ear, Nose & Throat
Journal, 91(3), 25-28.
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