Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
Short answer: isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol, 2-propanol, CAS 67-63-0) is classified as a flammable liquid (H225) that causes serious eye irritation (H319) and may cause drowsiness or dizziness (H336). Its flash point is 53 °F, below normal room temperature, and the NIOSH and OSHA exposure limit is 400 ppm as a time-weighted average. Use the safety data sheet (SDS) for the exact product you hold.
This guide is for lab staff and EHS officers who need to read an isopropanol SDS quickly and decide what it means at the bench. It does not replace the SDS from your supplier or your institution’s chemical hygiene plan.
Definition and scope
Isopropanol, isopropyl alcohol and 2-propanol are three names for the same substance, CAS 67-63-0, so an “isopropyl alcohol SDS” and an “isopropanol SDS” describe the same hazards. “MSDS” is the older name for the sheet; see SDS vs MSDS for what changed. For a general profile of the chemical, see what is isopropyl alcohol.
GHS classification: what the SDS says about hazards
The EU CLP harmonised classification (index 603-117-00-0, EC 200-661-7), as shown in PubChem’s GHS summary, lists three hazard statements, the signal word Danger, and the flame (GHS02) and exclamation mark (GHS07) pictograms.
| Code | Hazard | Signal word |
|---|---|---|
| H225 | Flammable liquid | Danger |
| H319 | Serious eye irritation | Warning |
| H336 | Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure: narcotic effects (drowsiness, dizziness) | Warning |
PubChem reports that more than 99.9% of notifiers in the ECHA classification and labelling inventory give H225 and H319, and 98.7% give H336. Manufacturer sheets generally follow the same three statements, but some place eye irritation in category 2A and others in category 2, so read the hazard identification section of your own supplier’s sheet rather than assuming.
The precautionary statements that appear on manufacturer sheets for the flammability hazard include P210 (keep away from heat and ignition sources), P240 (ground and bond container and receiving equipment) and P241 (use explosion-proof equipment).
Isopropanol flash point and exposure limits
The NIOSH Pocket Guide entry for isopropyl alcohol (read 2026-11-07) gives these values. They are the numbers an SDS draws on in its fire-fighting, exposure-control and physical-property sections.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Flash point | 53 °F (about 12 °C) |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.0% |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 12.7% (at 200 °F) |
| NIOSH REL, TWA | 400 ppm (980 mg/m³) |
| NIOSH REL, short-term (ST) | 500 ppm (1225 mg/m³) |
| OSHA PEL, TWA | 400 ppm (980 mg/m³) |
| IDLH | 2000 ppm (10% of the LEL) |
The IDLH figure is consistent with the LEL: 2.0% by volume is 20,000 ppm, and 10% of that is 2,000 ppm. A REL is a NIOSH recommendation, while the PEL is the OSHA legal limit. For how a full SDS is laid out section by section, see how to read an acetone SDS, which follows the same structure.
Incompatibilities and contact precautions
NIOSH lists strong oxidizers, acetaldehyde, chlorine, ethylene oxide, acids and isocyanates as incompatible with isopropyl alcohol. Its entry says to prevent skin and eye contact, wash contaminated skin, remove wet clothing because it is flammable, and irrigate the eyes immediately after contact.
How to turn the SDS into lab decisions
| SDS section | What to take from it for isopropanol |
|---|---|
| Hazard identification | Flammable liquid first. Confirm the eye category and signal word on your supplier’s sheet. |
| Handling and storage | Ignition-source, grounding and explosion-proof precautions (P210, P240, P241) follow from the flash point. |
| Exposure controls | Compare air concentrations with the 400 ppm limit; NIOSH calls for preventing skin and eye contact. |
| Physical and chemical properties | A 53 °F flash point means vapour can ignite below a typical room temperature. |
| Stability and reactivity | Keep away from the incompatible materials listed above. |
For storage and disposal specifics, use the dedicated pages instead of this summary: isopropyl alcohol disposal and isopropyl alcohol shelf life and storage.
Where to get the isopropanol SDS
The sheet that applies to you is the one issued for the product you bought. Major suppliers publish current sheets on their own sites, including Thermo Fisher (assets.thermofisher.com), Spectrum Chemical, Maxill, Solvet and Penta Chemicals. NOAA’s CAMEO Chemicals also has an isopropanol entry. Search by catalogue number, concentration and supplier, because a 99% reagent sheet and a 70% solution sheet are different documents.
Common misunderstandings
“70% and 99% isopropanol have the same SDS”
They share a substance, but concentration and formulation are set by the supplier, and classification details can differ between sheets. Use the sheet for the exact product. For the disinfectant use of 70%, see 70% isopropyl alcohol as a disinfectant.
“It is not flammable at room temperature”
A flash point of 53 °F is about 12 °C, which is below typical room temperature, so vapour above the liquid can be ignited at ordinary lab temperatures.
“Isopropanol and ethanol are interchangeable for safety purposes”
They are separate substances with separate sheets; see isopropyl alcohol vs ethanol.
FAQ
What is the flash point of isopropanol?
NIOSH lists 53 °F (about 12 °C), with explosive limits of 2.0% to 12.7% in air.
What hazards does an isopropyl alcohol SDS list?
Flammable liquid (H225), serious eye irritation (H319) and drowsiness or dizziness (H336), under the signal word Danger.
Where can I download an isopropanol SDS PDF?
From the supplier of your product; see the supplier list above.
What is the exposure limit for isopropyl alcohol?
The OSHA PEL is 400 ppm as a TWA; NIOSH recommends 400 ppm (TWA) and 500 ppm (short-term).
How is isopropanol stored and disposed of?
See the linked storage and disposal guides, and follow your SDS and institutional waste procedures.
Sources
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, isopropyl alcohol: cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0359.html (read 2026-11-07).
- PubChem, GHS classification for isopropanol (EU CLP, ECHA C&L inventory): pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Isopropanol (read 2026-11-07).
- NOAA CAMEO Chemicals: cameochemicals.noaa.gov.
