Many of the symptoms typically associated with alcohol intoxication — as well as many of the health hazards typically associated with the long-term consumption of ethanol — can be attributed to acetaldehyde toxicity in humans.The subsequent oxidation of acetaldehyde into acetate is performed by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes. A mutation in the ALDH2 gene that encodes for an inactive or dysfunctional form of this enzyme affects roughly 50% of east Asian populations, contributing to the characteristic alcohol flush reaction that can cause temporary reddening of the skin as well as a number of related, and often unpleasant, symptoms of acetaldehyde toxicity. This mutation is typically accompanied by another mutation in the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme ADH1B in roughly 80% of east Asians, which improves the catalytic efficiency of converting ethanol into acetaldehyde. Recreational
As a central nervous system depressant, ethanol is one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive drugs.Despite alcohols psychoactive and carcinogenic properties, it is readily available and legal for sale in most countries. However, there are laws regulating the sale, exportation/importation, taxation, manufacturing, consumption, and possession of alcoholic beverages. The most common regulation is prohibition for minors. Fuel
Engine fuel
The largest single use of ethanol is as an engine fuel and fuel additive. Brazil in particular relies heavily upon the use of ethanol as an engine fuel, due in part to its role as one of the globes leading producers of ethanol. Gasoline sold in Brazil contains at least 25% anhydrous ethanol.
It has a long history as a fuel for heat and light, and more recently as a fuel for internal combustion engines. See also
References
Further reading
External links

Alcohol (Ethanol) at The Periodic Table of Videos (University of Nottingham)
International Labour Organization ethanol safety information
National Pollutant Inventory – Ethanol Fact Sheet
CDC – NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards – Ethyl Alcohol
National Institute of Standards and Technology chemical data on ethanol
Chicago Board of Trade news and market data on ethanol futures
Calculation of vapor pressure, liquid density, dynamic liquid viscosity, surface tension of ethanol
Ethanol History A look into the history of ethanol
ChemSub Online: Ethyl alcohol
Industrial ethanol production process flow diagram using ethylene and sulphuric acid