I learn something new everyday.  I wasn't aware that rubbing alcohol had
been changed from isopropyl to ethyl alcohol.  I ran to my shell-cleaning
materials to see what I had.  A large bottle, recently purchased, says 70%
Isopropyl.  So I guess we learn again to read the label.
 
Sylvia Edwards
Huntsville AL
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-----Original Message-----
From: Paul R. Monfils <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, March 13, 1999 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Shells and alcohol
 
 
>Ethyl alcohol (also known as grain alcohol or ethanol) is the "best"
dehydrant
>among the common alcohols.  That doesn't mean that other alcohols won't
>dehydrate as thoroughly.  It just means they won't do the job as fast.
>"Rubbing alcohol" was always isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) until recent
>years, when many manufacturers changed to ethyl alcohol.  Isopropyl can
still
>be found in some stores though - check the label.  However, isopropyl
rubbing
>alcohol is usually 90% concentration, while ethyl rubbing alcohol is
usually
>70%, so from that point of view the stronger isopropyl solution will
dehydrate
>more thoroughly (even if more slowly) than the weaker 70% ethyl solution.
>Methyl alcohol (methanol, wood alcohol, shellac thinner) dehydrates faster
>than isopropyl but slower than ethyl, but it is fairly toxic when inhaled
or
>absorbed through the skin, so better to stay away from it.
>Paul M.
>Rhode Island
>