1-Propanol
- Alcohol solvents
- CAS 71-23-8
- IUPAC: propan-1-ol
CarCareTruth tracks 1-Propanol (CAS 71-23-8) as a car-care ingredient. It is classified as a VOC.
At ingredient level: H225 (flammable liquid Cat 2), H318 (serious eye damage Cat 1), H336 (STOT SE Cat 3 narcotic). At mixture level in car-care products (1–2% concentration), these classifications do not trigger — product-level H-codes govern the health score. Primarily a handling hazard for pure 1-propanol, not for diluted formulations.
1-Propanol (n-propyl alcohol, CAS 71-23-8) is a short-chain aliphatic alcohol used as a co-solvent in car care cleaners, glass treatments, and water spot removers. At the concentrations common in consumer products (1–5%), it aids in wetting mineral-fouled surfaces and improves product spreading without leaving a residue.
The pure compound is classified as a flammable liquid (H225) and carries H318 (serious eye damage Cat 1) and H336 (narcotic effects) at ingredient level. In diluted car care formulations at 1–2% concentration, these ingredient-level classifications typically do not translate to product-level H-codes under GHS mixture classification rules — the product SDS §2 governs scoring, not the ingredient level alone.
1-Propanol is readily biodegradable in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions and does not bioaccumulate. It is a VOC (volatile organic compound) and contributes to atmospheric photochemical smog, though at the small quantities used in automotive cleaners the environmental contribution is minimal. Aquatic toxicity at consumer dilutions is low relative to regulatory thresholds.
Health & environment profile
- VOC
- yes
- Prop 65 listed
- no
- Asthmagen
- no
- EPA Safer Choice
- no
- Aquatic toxicity
- no
- Biodegradable
- yes
- Bioaccumulative
- no
- Persistent
- no
- Ozone depleting
- no
- Microplastic
- no
- PFAS
- no
- Env. score
- 4/5
Common questions about 1-Propanol
- What is 1-Propanol used for in car care?
- Co-solvent; aids dissolution of mineral deposits and improves wetting of hard surfaces
- Is 1-Propanol a VOC?
- Yes. 1-Propanol is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
- Is 1-Propanol on California's Proposition 65 list?
- No. 1-Propanol is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
- Is 1-Propanol biodegradable?
- Yes. 1-Propanol has a confirmed biodegradable profile.
No products on file contain this (yet)
Related
Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.