

In medical facilities, 70% isopropyl alcohol is frequently used for skin disinfection before injections or surgical procedures. Its rapid evaporation rate minimizes discomfort for patients and reduces the risk of skin irritation. Additionally, it's used to sterilize medical instruments and surfaces, providing a critical layer of infection control.
Among the most commonly used meat preservatives are nitrates and nitrites. These compounds not only enhance the shelf life of cured meats like bacon and ham but also impart a characteristic pink/red color, which consumers often associate with freshness. Nitrates and nitrites work by converting into nitric oxide under certain conditions, which then inhibits the growth of spoilage bacteria. However, the use of these preservatives has raised health concerns, as they can react with amines in the meat to form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines when exposed to high temperatures. As a result, regulatory agencies have set limits on their usage to ensure consumer safety while still allowing manufacturers to benefit from their preservative properties.