# Purell Cocktails

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purell-cocktails/508049>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [August 28, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purell-cocktails/508049 "2009-08-28T17:30:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mmb7v](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@mmb7v](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmb7v)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purell-cocktails/508049/1 "2009-08-28T17:30:09Z")

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I spent some time on a psych ward when I was in nursing school and all of the gel hand sanitizer dispensers had to be changed to foam dispensers and put in the nurses station because alcoholics started pumping it out into cups and drinking it to get a buzz.

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purell-cocktails/508049/2 "2009-08-28T18:17:24Z")

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This was among “Questions we’re still thinking about” posted at the end of this column:

[Is the arsenic in treated wood dangerous?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2889/is-the-arsenic-in-treated-wood-dangerous)

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**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purell-cocktails/508049/3 "2009-08-28T20:29:00Z")

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Purell is 62% ethyl alcohol, so that makes it tempting to drink. But it also contains isopropyl alcohol ("\< 5%), as well as some other things.

The Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) says:

> [@](#):
>
> When used according to instructions, the product applicable to this MSDS is safe and presents no immediate or long-term health hazard. However, abnormal entry routes, such as gross ingestion, may require immediate medical attention.

[http://media.gojo.com/msds/english/PURELLInstantHandSanitizer.pdf](http://media.gojo.com/msds/english/PURELLInstantHandSanitizer.pdf)

So I wouldn’t recommend it for your beverage needs.

However, being 62% alcohol, it burns very nicely. I took a squirt and set it on fire to demonstrate. Burns with very clear, slightly blue flame. Smokers should beware - apply it without thoroughly rubbing it in, then light up too soon, and you could get burned.