ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (2-PROPANOL) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Lapse in Appropriations

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 866-487-9243 (866-4-US-WAGE).  This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025.  Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (2-PROPANOL)†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	67-63-0
Formula	C₃H₈O
Synonyms	dimethyl carbinol, IPA, isopropanol, sec-propyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless liquid with the odor of rubbing alcohol.
Boiling point	181°F	Molecular weight	60.1
Freezing point/melting point	-127°F	Vapor pressure	33 mmHg
Flash point	53°F	Vapor density	2.07
Specific gravity	0.79	Ionization potential	10.10 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	2.0%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	12.7% at 200°F
NFPA health rating	1	NFPA fire rating	3
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1560
Sampling group	OVSG-2
Sampler/Sampling media	2 Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82], tube holder [SKC 222-3L-1], Type D cover [SKC 224-29D]
Sampling time^*	240 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	12 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.05 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA 5001 (fully validated)
Notes	Separate tubes and seal each after sampling.
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device	Detector tube	Detector tube	Detector Tube	Detector Tube
Model/Type	Gastec 113	Gastec 113L	Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-122SA	Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-150U
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)	0.5 to 2 strokes, 0.004% - 5% range, uncertainty 25% for 50-200 ppm, 16% for 200-800 ppm	1 or 2 strokes, 5-800 ppm range, uncertainty 25% for 50-200 ppm, 16% for 200-800 ppm	1 stroke, 0.02-2.5% range	1 or 2 strokes, approx 10-1200 ppm range

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	400 ppm (980 mg/m³)	REL-TWA	400 ppm (980 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA	200 ppm [2001]	PEL-TWA	400 ppm (980 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL	500 ppm (1225 mg/m³)	TLV-STEL	400 ppm [2001]	PEL-STEL	500 ppm (1225 mg/m³)
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes: BEI®		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	2000 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: IARC-3, TLV-A4		Notes: 10% of LEL
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Isopropanol

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Isopropanol alcohol

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Isopropanol. See annual publication for most recent information.
Ernstgård, L., Sjögren, B., Warholm, M. and Johanson, G.: Sex differences in the toxicokinetics of inhaled solvent vapors in humans. 2. 2-propanol. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 193(2): 158-167, 2003.
Garcia-Gavin, J., Lissens, R., Timmermans, A., Goossens, A.: Allergic contact dermatitis caused by isopropyl alcohol: a missed allergen?. Contact Dermatitis. 65(2):101-106, 2011.
NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Isopropyl Alcohol. March 1976.
NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Isopropyl Alcohol. September 1978.

Last Updated Date : 06/20/2023

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
2) Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82]	240 min	12 L	0.05 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling
2-Butoxyethanol	0435	No
n-Butyl alcohol	0460	No
sec-Butyl alcohol	0461	No
Ethyl alcohol	1060	No
Isobutyl alcohol	1536	No
Isopropyl alcohol	1560	No
Methyl alcohol*	1660	No
n-Propyl alcohol	2170	No

Notes

Immediately after sampling, separate the two sampling tubes to prevent post-sampling migration.

Request any (up to two (2)) of these analytes together.

Results for unrequested analytes in this group will be reported if significant amounts are found.

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

*If this is your primary analyte of interest, sample for 60 min at 0.05 L/min (3L). If the relative humidity is >50% at 25°C, you can sample for 100 min at 0.05 L/min (5L).

Lapse in Appropriations

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (2-PROPANOL)†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References