Full Answer
What happens if you drink turpentine?
- Breathing difficulty (from breathing in turpentine)
- Severecough or choking
- Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
Is it safe to drink turpentine?
Turpentine oil is considered toxic and can cause several serious side effects if ingested. Symptoms of turpentine poisoning may include ( 2 ): kidney failure. vision loss. chest pain. swelling of ...
What are the side effects of turpentine?
Turpentine Side Effects
- Respiratory. At low levels of exposure to turpentine, defined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration as 75 parts per million, people begin to experience irritation to the nose and throat ...
- Visual. Irritation of the eyes develops at exposures of 175 ppm of turpentine vapors. ...
- Dermatological. ...
- Digestive. ...
- Excretory. ...
How does turpentine affect the body?
Turpentine is thought to be only mildly toxic when used according to manufacturers' recommendations. It can pass through the skin. Turpentine exposure causes eye irritation, headache, dizziness and vomiting. Breathing or swallowing also causes kidney and bladder irritation.
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Is turpentine same as alcohol?
Turpentine is considered to be more dangerous than methylated spirits as it is highly flammable and can irritate the skin and eyes. Indifference, methylated spirits are referred to as grain alcohol, so it is not a petroleum-based product like mineral turps.
Does turpentine contain alcohol?
Furthermore, the methylated spirits contain ethyl alcohol mixed with other chemical substances including chemicals like methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and benzene, while the mineral turpentine contains a mixture of aliphatic, open-chain or alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds.
What alcohol is turpentine?
Turpentine is one of the few solvents not made from petroleum distillates. It is produced by distilling the oleoresins from pine trees. It is also known as spirits of turpentine or simply turps. The best grade is called pure gum spirits of turpentine.
Is turps an isopropyl alcohol?
White spirit (aka mineral spirits or mineral turps in the US), methylated spirits (aka denatured alcohol in the US), and isopropyl alcohol are each used for preparing surfaces, or removing oily residues.
Can a person drink turpentine?
Turpentine is poisonous if swallowed. Children and adults can die from drinking turpentine. Fortunately, turpentine causes taste and odor problems before reaching toxic levels in humans. Turpentine is thought to be only mildly toxic when used according to manufacturers' recommendations.
What is turpentine made of?
Turpentine oil is made from the resin of certain pine trees. Turpentine oil is included in some chest rubs, such as Vicks VapoRub. When it is included in these products, it is used in very small amounts as a fragrance.
Is white spirit same as turpentine?
What is the difference between white spirit and turpentine? Turpentine is made of the natural resin extracted from trees, and white spirit is made of petroleum distillate. White Spirit tends to be less flammable and less toxic than turpentine.
Is turpentine the same as acetone?
Turpentine and acetone are similar chemical solvents that can be used for many of the same industrial applications as a solvent or cleaning agent. Both turpentine and acetone can be used as additives in paint thinners, stripping agents, and lacquers.
What does turpentine do to skin?
-Skin disease: Turpentine is a skin defatting agent and sensitizer and can cause dermatitis on prolonged exposure.
What can turpentine be used for?
Thanks to its strong scent, turpentine oil is often added to perfumes, soaps, and deodorizers, as well as many OTC chest rubs, such as Vicks VapoRub. Additionally, this oil acts as a solvent and is used to thin oil paint and clean paintbrushes.
What is similar to rubbing alcohol?
5 Alternatives to Disinfecting with AlcoholWhite Vinegar. If you are looking for an accessible alternative to alcohol, head to your kitchen and take a bottle of white vinegar and you are all set. ... Hydrogen Peroxide. ... Chlorine Bleach. ... Lemon. ... Soap.
What is rubbing alcohol called?
Isopropyl alcohol is also commonly called “rubbing alcohol.” Its molecular structure contains one more carbon and two more hydrogen molecules than ethyl alcohol. Its formula is written as C3H7OH. Like ethanol, it's commonly used as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
What is turpentine made of?
Chemical compound. Turpentine (which is also called gum turpentine, spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, wood turpentine, terebenthene, terebinthine and (colloquially), turps) is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin harvested from living trees, mainly pines.
What is the chemical component of turpentine?
Commercially used camphor, linalool, alpha-terpineol, and geraniol are all usually produced from alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, which are two of the chief chemical components of turpentine. These pinenes are separated and purified by distillation.
What is the difference between Canada balsam and Venice turpentine?
Canada balsam, also called Canada turpentine or balsam of fir, is a turpentine that is made from the oleoresin of the balsam fir. Venice turpentine is produced from the larch. Venice turpentine is a honey-like product often used by artists when painting in oil , and it is also used to treat horse's hooves.
How is oleoresin converted to turpentine?
Converting oleoresin to turpentine. Crude oleoresin collected from the trees may be evaporated by steam distillation in a copper still. Molten rosin remains in the still bottoms after turpentine has been distilled out. Turpentine may alternatively be condensed from destructive distillation of pine wood.
Why is turpentine used in cleaning products?
Turpentine is also added to many cleaning and sanitary products due to its antiseptic properties and its "clean scent". In early 19th-century America, turpentine was sometimes burned in lamps as a cheap alternative to whale oil. It was most commonly used for outdoor lighting, due to its strong odour.
What is the average yield of sulfate turpentine?
The average yield of crude sulfate turpentine is 5–10 kg/t pulp.
What is the name of the fuel used in motorcycles?
In 1946, Soichiro Honda fueled the first Honda motorcycles with turpentine, due to the scarcity of gasoline in Japan following World War II.
What is turpentine oil?
elliottii Engelm.), and other Pinus spp. that yield exclusively terpene oils, or to describe the essential oil obtained from oleoresin.
How much turpentine is fatal?
Turpentine has been used for traditional self-medication in the United States, and fatal poisonings have been reported in children who have ingested as little as 15 mL. Boyd 1991 Turpentine is among the most commonly ingested poisons among childhood cases reported to poison control centers. Melis 1990 The average fatal oral dose is 15 to 150 mL. Guzel 2015
How long does it take for turpentine oil to become toxic?
Signs and symptoms of toxicity generally emerge within 2 to 3 hours after exposure. After oral ingestion, patients may experience an oral burning sensation, pain in oral cavity, thirst, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Does turpentine cause skin irritation?
When applied topically, turpentine causes skin irritation and, therefore, has been shown to exert rubefacient and counterirritant actions. However, in a systematic study, a pine oil product derived from Pinus palustris and Pinus elliottii reduced dermal inflammation in a mouse ear model of contact irritant–induced dermal inflammation as well as second-degree burns to the mouse paw. Clark 2014
Does turpentine help with sclerosis?
Abstract data from a study in Russia suggest turpentine baths may assist in the treatment of disseminated sclerosis, but the safety of this treatment has not been established. Ludianskii 1992
Is turpentine safe for myiasis?
Turpentine has been reported to be useful for its antiparasitic effects, particularly in the treatment of myiasis. Turpentine has been used experimentally in baths for treatment of disseminated sclerosis and sexual dysfunction; however, data are limited and safety and efficacy have not been established.
Is Guzel a bitter oil?
The oil has a strong, bitter taste and is colorless. Guzel 2015 Turpentine and its related products have a long history of medicinal use, primarily as topical counterirritants for the treatment of rheumatic disorders and muscle pain.
What is denatured alcohol?
Denatured alcohol is alcohol with additives that make it poisonous. Mineral spirits, on the other hand, comes from petroleum. They are both solvents but mineral spirits do not mix with water. The popular names for denatured alcohol include; ‘wood alcohol’ and ‘methylated spirit.’.
What is the best substitute for isopropyl alcohol?
Your choice should depend on how you want to use it. Absolute isopropyl alcohol may only be available with a permit. 99% iso propyl alcohol is a good substitute but its drying time is longer than denatured alcohol.
Why do painters use mineral spirits?
I find that both denatured alcohol and mineral spirits have unique benefits. Most painters prefer mineral spirits because of its versatility and functionality. It is affordable, not so sticky, and its odor is not as offensive as turpentine.
How to clean wood with mineral spirits?
Use the rag to wipe the wood in slow and even strokes. Do not scrub. If you are cleaning wood using mineral spirits, switch to a clean part of the rag as you pick up debris. You may need to use a few rags to complete the job.
Where does methanol come from?
While ethanol comes from vegetables, fruits, and grains, methanol comes from wood stock. If you consume denatured alcohol, you will experience the side effects of other chemicals in the mixture. The effects depend on the denaturing agents and chemicals.
Can you use mineral spirits on wood?
Mineral Spirits vs Denatured Alcohol to Clean Wood. Both mineral spirits and denatured wood are appropriate for cleaning wood. You may use either one of them to clean wood before treating it with stain, paint, or shellac.
Is denatured alcohol taxable?
Pure alcohol is taxable. If it was in household products, people would easily abuse it. The color of denatured alcohol is usually different from pure alcohol. There are plenty of ways to denature alcohol, usually, this alcohol contains at least five percent of methanol.
What is Denatured Alcohol?
Denatured alcohol is a clear-colored liquid used for various household, commercial, and woodworking applications. It is also the primary ingredient in shellac—a popular wood finish.
What are Mineral Spirits?
Mineral spirits are petroleum-based solvents with numerous applications, including thinning oil-based paint and cleaning paint brushes, paint rollers, and such other items. Here’s how to clean oil paint brush without paint thinner.
Denatured Alcohol vs Mineral Spirits Side by Side
The best way to decide which solvent is best for your woodworking project is to consider their specific characteristics side by side.
Denatured Alcohol Substitute
A denatured alcohol alternative can come in handy where you are unable to find the solvent for some reason. Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives you can consider in its place to do the job.
Substitute for Mineral Spirits
When you cannot find mineral spirits for a particular woodworking application, a mineral spirits substitute can come in handy. Lacquer thinner is a popular mineral spirits alternative, especially for thinning epoxy.
FAQs
No. Wood alcohol or methanol is one of the chemical substances usually mixed with ethanol to make denatured alcohol. Wood alcohol can be used in place of denatured alcohol as a substitute, but the two are not synonymous.
Conclusion
Choosing between denatured alcohol vs mineral spirits mainly depends on your project and its specific needs. Both solvents can be used as cleaning agents and for thinning purposes.
Overview
Turpentine (which is also called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, terebenthene, terebinthine and (colloquially) turps) is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin harvested from living trees, mainly pines. Mainly used as a specialized solvent, it is also a source of material for organic syntheses.
Turpentine is composed of terpenes, primarily the monoterpenes alpha- and beta-pinene, with les…
Etymology
The word turpentine derives (via French and Latin), from the Greek word τερεβινθίνη terebinthine, in turn the feminine form (to conform to the feminine gender of the Greek word, which means "resin") of an adjective (τερεβίνθινος) derived from the Greek noun (τερέβινθος), for the terebinth tree.
Although the word originally referred to the resinous exudate of terebinth trees (e.g. Chios turpentine, Cyprus turpentine, and Persian turpentine), it now refers to that of coniferous trees, na…
Source trees
Important pines for turpentine production include: maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), Masson's pine (Pinus massoniana), Sumatran pine (Pinus merkusii), longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).
To tap into the sap producing layers of the tree, turpentiners used a combinati…
Converting crude turpentine to oil of turpentine
Crude turpentine collected from the trees may be evaporated by steam distillation in a copper still. Molten rosin remains in the still bottoms after turpentine has been distilled out. Such turpentine is called gum turpentine. The term gum turpentine may also refer to crude turpentine, which causes considerable confusion.
Turpentine may alternatively be extracted from destructive distillation of pine wood, such as shre…
Industrial and other end uses
As a solvent, turpentine is used for thinning oil-based paints, for producing varnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Its use as a solvent in industrialized nations has largely been replaced by the much cheaper turpentine substitutes obtained from petroleum. A solution of turpentine and beeswax or carnauba wax has long been used as a furniture wax.
Turpentine is also used as a source of raw materials in the synthesis of fragrant chemical comp…
Hazards
As an organic solvent, its vapour can irritate the skin and eyes, damage the lungs and respiratory system, as well as the central nervous system when inhaled, and cause damage to the renal system when ingested, among other things. Ingestion can cause burning sensations, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, convulsions, diarrhea, tachycardia, unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death.
See also
• Charles Herty – Chemist, academic, businessman, football coach
• Galipot
• McCranie's Turpentine Still
• Naval stores industry
External links
• Inchem.org, IPCS INCHEM Turpentine classification, hazard, and property table.
• CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Turpentine
• FAO.org, Gum naval stores: Turpentine and rosin from pine resin
Clinical Overview
- Use
Turpentine has been reported to be useful for its antiparasitic effects, particularly in the treatment of myiasis. Turpentine has been used experimentally in baths for treatment of disseminated sclerosis and sexual dysfunction; however, data are limited and safety and efficacy have not bee… - Dosing
Not applicable.
Source
- The term "turpentine" is used imprecisely to describe the oleoresin obtained from the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.), slash pine (P. elliottii Engelm.), and other Pinus spp. that yield exclusively terpene oils, or to describe the essential oil obtained from oleoresin.Leung 1980 At least 6 additional Pinus spp. have been used in the production of turpentine.Trease 1989The oleoresin i…
History
- The primary use of turpentine has been as a solvent in paints. During the last century, it became an important starting material for the commercial synthesis of many widely used compounds, including camphor and menthol. Various products derived from turpentine have been used in chewing gums. Steam-distilled turpentine oil has been used as a food and beverage flavoring in …
Chemistry
- Turpentine is composed primarily of monoterpene hydrocarbons, the most prevalent of which are the pinenes, camphene, and 3-carene. Rosin contains mostly diterpene resin acids, such as abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, palustric acid, and isopimaric acid. Numerous other compounds are present in small quantities in all turpentine products. Canada tu...
Uses and Pharmacology
- Turpentine and its related products (the oil and rosin) are important in commerce and traditional medicine. These products can pose a toxicity risk and should be handled and stored carefully.
Adverse Reactions
- The contact allergenic activity of turpentine may be caused primarily by the pinenes 3-carene and dipentene. The resin also has irritant potential. In one survey of individuals involved in the manufacture of tires, patch testing indicated that 2.6% developed hypersensitivity reactions to turpentine. Benign skin tumors have been observed in animal models following chronic topical a…
Toxicology
- Turpentine has been used for traditional self-medication in the United States, and fatal poisonings have been reported in children who have ingested as little as 15 mL.Boyd 1991 Turpentine is among the most commonly ingested poisons among childhood cases reported to poison control centers.Melis 1990 The average fatal oral dose is 15 to 150 mL.Guzel 2015 Turpentine oil is toxi…
Disclaimer
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Further Information
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