ethanol

Ethanol was detected at levels of 13-1000 ppb in the exhaled breath of 64 human subjects(1).

Pesticide Ecotoxicity Data from EPA: 5

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), ethanol, which has a vapor pressure of 59.3 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethanol is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 5 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 3.27X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Ethanol does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

A log Koc of 0.20 has been reported for ethanol(1). According to a classification scheme(2), this Koc value suggests that ethanol is expected to have very high mobility in soil. Transport was not retarded in an ethanol leaching test using a shallow sand and gravel test aquifer in Merrick Co, central Platte Valley, Nebraska(3). A sorption coefficient on a snow surface was reported as log K = -3.04 (cu m snow surface/sq m air) at -6.8 °C(4).

ANAEROBIC: Anaerobic degradation (thermophilic digestion, 54 °C) of ethanol (5 mL of a 5% aqueous ethanol solution) produced approximately 1000 mL gas/g sample using seed which had been prepared in a synthetic medium(1). At a starting concentration of 100 mg/L, ethanol was rapidly degraded in anaerobic microcosms prepared from low organic (0.2% organic carbon) sandy aquifer material and ground water at pH 5.2 with a half-life of approximately 1.5 days under denitrifying conditions and about 5 days under iron-reducing conditions(2). Ethanol biodegradation was measured using a shallow sand and gravel test aquifer in Merrick Co, central Platte Valley, Nebraska which was subjected to a pulse containing 220 mg/L ethanol and 12 mg/L bromide and monitored for 2.5 months(3). An average first-or...

An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated in fish for ethanol(SRC), using a log Kow of -0.31(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for ethanol is 5.0X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that ethanol is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 5 days(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 39 days(SRC). Ethanol's Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC). Ethanol is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an extrapolated vapor pressure of 59.3 mm Hg(3).

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of ethanol with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals is 3.27X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 5 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(2). Ethanol is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3). Ethanol does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(3) and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). A smog chamber test with 2 ppm ethanol and 1 ppm nitrogen resulted in 20% degradation in 5 hr(4). Ethanol is considered to have low reactivity in photochemical smog(5). Reaction with hydroxyl r...

RAIN/SNOW/FOG: Ethanol was detected in precipitation samples from Santa Rita, AZ (rural) at a concentration of 15 ppb (by mass); the ratio of concentration in precipitation/condensate was 0.31(1).

Ethanol is ... present to extent of 3-6% by vol in naturally fermented beers and ales, 10-12% in wines and 20-60% in distilled beverages.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ 24-hr LC50 value for rainbow trout in flow-through bioassay system at 10 °C was 11200 mg/L. Ethanol at about 0.26 of the fingerling LC50, affected cardiovascular and respiratory system in adults. Slight ventilation rate and buccal pressure amplitude depression occurred in initial stages of 24 hr exposure. Q-T interval decreased.

Ethanol was detected in 2 of 6 leachate sites from Minnesota landfills at 23,000 and 110,000 ppb(1). Traces of ethanol were detected in 1 of 11 domestic wells near Granby, CT landfill in 1984(2). Ethanol was identified, not quantified, in the volatile gases from compost samples collected at an in-vessel composting station, Joyceville, Ontario, Canada from May through July 1996(4). Ethanol levels in exhaust from simple hydrocarbon fuels (e.g. benzene, isooctane) were reported as <0.1-0.6 ppm(3). In the Gubrist highway tunnel, Switzerland, 214 emission measurements collected in 2004 resulted in an emission factor for ethanol of 10.3 mg/km(5). Emission factors of 6.6 and 58.8 mg/km were determined for light and heavy duty vehicles, respectively(5). The annual road traffic ethanol emission...

Environmental effects of the substance have been adequately investigated, but no significant effects have been found.

Ethanol has been detected in emissions from animal wastes, plants, insects, forest fires, microbes, and volcanoes(1) as well as emissions from the natural fermentation of starch, sugar and other carbohydrates(2). Ethanol is a volatile component of many plants(3).

RURAL/REMOTE: Samples taken in Pt. Barrow, AK, in 1967, indicated a 24 hour average concentration for ethanol of 0.77 ppb(1).

Ethanol's production and use as a biofuel or biofuel additive(1), in alcoholic beverages, as a solvent, in pharmaceuticals, perfumery and organic synthesis(2) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). It's use as a pesticide (disinfectant, sanitizer, microbiocide, fungicide, plant regulator)(3) will result in its direct release to the environment(SRC).

Ethanol concentrations of various sources have been reported: workrooms - concentration up to 5000 ppm; from whiskey fermentation vats - average of 182 g/cu m grain input; in gasoline exhaust - 0.1 to 0.6 ppm

Ethanol concentrations emitted from dairy silages (corn, alfalfa, cereal), high moisture ground corn (HMGC), total mixed rations (TMR), and other feedstuffs (almond hulls and almond shells) at a large dairy farm (approximately 3,000 cows) in Yolo County, CA were as follows nL/L: 1043.72, corn silage; 346.53, alfalfa silage; 1615.56, cereal silage; 339.01, HMGC; 349.68 TMR; not detected, almond hulls; 48.60 almond shells(1). Average ethanol concentrations were 244.21, 170.11 and 874.02 ug/cu m in non-smoke, reduced smoke and standard smoke incense(2). Ethanol levels in a new parked car were 299.6 ug/cu m; it was not detected in similar 3-yr old vehicle(3). Ethanol was one of the most abundant compounds in gasoline with reported concentrations of 7.5% and 5.4% wt in summer and winter head...

Ethanol's production and use as a biofuel or biofuel additive, in alcoholic beverages, as a solvent, in pharmaceuticals, perfumery and organic synthesis may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. It's use as a pesticide (disinfectant, sanitizer, microbiocide, fungicide, plant regulator) will result in its direct release to the environment. Ethanol has been detected in emissions from animal wastes, plants, insects, forest fires, microbes, and volcanoes as well as from the natural fermentation of starch, sugar and other carbohydrates. Ethanol is a volatile component of many plants. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 59.3 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates ethanol will exist solely as a vapor in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethanol will be degraded in the atmosph...

Symptoms and effects of overdose include nausea, vomiting, CNS depression, acute respiratory failure or death and with chronic use, severe health problems, such as liver and brain damage. At >0.14% blood alcohol levels there is decreased blood flow to the brain. At greater than 0.3% blood alcohol there is a marked degree of stupefaction and possible unconsciousness. At levels greater than 0.4% there is a risk of death. Acute consumption leading to blood alcohol levels greater than 0.5% is almost universally fatal. With chronic alcohol abuse, severe health problems, such as liver and brain damage can be present.

If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, call for an ambulance to take them to a hospital. While you're waiting: try to keep them sitting up and awake, give them water if they can drink it. If they've passed out, lie them on their side in the recovery position and check they're breathing properly, keep them warm and stay with them and monitor their symptoms. Acute alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency due to the risk of death from respiratory depression and/or inhalation of vomit if emesis occurs while the patient is unconscious and unresponsive. Emergency treatment for acute alcohol poisoning strives to stabilize the patient and maintain a patent airway and respiration, while waiting for the alcohol to metabolize. Emergency treatment in a hospital can involve: 1) treating hypog...

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, blood, reproductive system

LD50: 5628 mg/kg (Oral, rat)

Acute: At 0.1% blood alcohol levels individuals experience CNS depression, nausea, possible vomiting, impaired cognition and impaired motor and sensory function. Accidents or injury can also occur due to the side effects of loss of coordination, slowed reaction time, sleepiness and impaired judgment. At >0.14% blood alcohol levels there is decreased blood flow to the brain. At greater than 0.3% blood alcohol there is a marked degree of stupefaction and possible unconsciousness. At levels greater than 0.4% there is a risk of death. Acute consumption leading to blood alcohol levels greater than 0.5% is almost universally fatal. Chronic: high levels of alcohol consumption are associated with an increased risk of alcoholism, malnutrition, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic (fatty) liver diseas...

* Neurological/psychiatric: Stroke, depression, meningitis, cerebellar degeneration

Oral, rapidly absorbed. Blood alcohol level and the time necessary to achieve it are controlled largely by the rapidity and extent of ethanol consumption. (T10)

Alcohol binds to the GABA(A) receptors (delta subunit), NMDA receptors, Glycine receptors, Serotonin receptors, Acetylcholine receptors, L-channel calcium channels and GIRK channels. Ethanol acts in the central nervous system primarily by binding to the GABAA receptor, increasing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Ethanol within the human body is converted into acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde is linked to most of the clinical effects of alcohol. It has been shown to increase the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver and multiple forms of cancer. During the metabolism of alcohol via the respective dehydrogenases, NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is converted into reduced NAD. Normally, NAD is used to metabolise fats in the liver, and as su...

Ethanol in alcoholic beverages is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). (L135)

References: DOI:10.1016/j.drudis.2019.09.022

Diabetic patient treated with phenformin should avoid ingestion of alcoholic beverages because concurrent use may cause hypoglycemic reactions or lead to life threatening lactic acidosis with shock.

A3; Confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans.

Some studies have shown that drinking alcohol lowers male fertility (ability to get partner pregnant). Male exposure to alcohol is not known to increase the chance for birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase the risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.