Which hazard is commonly associated with 95-100% Ethyl Alcohol?

• A. Flammable
• B. Non-flammable
• C. Non-toxic
• D. Odorless

Answer: (A)

Concentrated ethyl alcohol is extremely flammable. Its low flash point and high vapor pressure mean that vapors readily form ignitable mixtures with air and can travel to ignition sources, posing fire or explosion hazards even away from the liquid itself. In the lab, handling 95–100% ethanol requires flammable-liquid precautions: store in approved flammable cabinets, keep away from flames, sparks, and hot surfaces, use grounding to prevent static discharge, and ensure good ventilation. This makes flammability the primary hazard. It’s not non-flammable, and it’s not odorless; ethanol has a noticeable odor, and while toxicity can be a concern with exposure, the characteristic risk emphasized for high-concentration ethanol is its flammability.