Description

Ethylene glycol is a clear liquid used in antifreeze and de-icing solutions. It is also used in hydraulic break fluids and in inks found in stamp pads, ball point pens and print shops. It has no odor but has a sweet taste. Propylene glycol is also used in antifreeze and de-icing solutions. It is also used to make polyester and as a solvent in the paint and plastic industries. The FDA considers it safe for use in food. It is used to absorb excess water and maintain moisture in some medicines, cosmetics and foods, and it is a solvent for food colorings and flavors.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, glycols is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, glycols is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), glycols is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

Other

Large amounts of ethylene glycol can damage the kidney, nervous system, heart and lungs. It forms crystals in the body which can collect in the kidneys and damage their function. It also forms acidic chemicals which harm the heart, lungs and nervous system.
Test animals have shown skeletal defects and low birth weights in newborns born to animals fed large doses of ethylene glycol.
Frequent skin exposure to propylene glycol and irritate the skin. Can also cause temporary eye irritation if in direct contact.There is some evidence that large doses of ethylene glycol can cause neurological problems.
Ingesting large amounts of ethylene glycol can induce a drunken state similar to alcohol.
Animal studies have shown birth defects and miscarriages in animals exposed orally and by inhalation to ethylene glycol.

How Exposures Occur

Industrial workers may come into contact with ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Wearing protective equipment while at work and removing any clothing that has come in contact can help prevent its spread at home.

Those in an area where an ethylene glycol containing product is being sprayed can breathe the chemical in through the air.

Children and adults can come into contact with ethylene glycol if there are fluids leaking from a car or other equipment that uses ethylene glycol containing chemicals. Keep children out of garages and away from chemicals stored at home that may have ethylene glycol. Since it has a sweet taste, children may be drawn to taste it and eat more of it if they like the taste.

You can contact propylene glycol in foods, medicines and cosmetics. Check the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website to find out if your cosmetics contain propylene glycol. Avoid refined and processed foods. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains for a healthy diet and to avoid additives and preservatives.

Significant Statistics

Smaller babies may have a harder time clearing ethylene glycol than older children and adults making them more susceptible to adverse reactions.

Ethylene Glycol. TOXNET. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~QJhLmA:1:popl.

About 35% of ethylene glycol is used to make PET (plastic), 26% is used in antifreeze and 24% is used to make polyester fibers.

Toxicological Profile for Ethylene Glycol: Draft for Public Comment. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. September 2007. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp96.html.

Solutions

How to detect glycols

Make sure all chemicals are kept in labeled containers so you always know if you are handling something that can contain ethylene glycol. Read labels on food to determine if there are artificial colors or flavors that could contain propylene glycol. Check for ethylene glycol in your cosmetics. You can use the Skin Deep website to find out.

How to minimize exposure to glycols

Keep children and pets away from garages or areas that contain antifreeze and other chemicals that can have ethylene glycol. Avoid processed foods to limit exposure to propylene glycol.

Alternatives

Choose fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Choose foods that have no artificial ingredients.

For More information

Books, articles, factsheets and reports

Other government agencies

US Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 272-0167
http://www.epa.gov/

Tox Town
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
1-888-FIND-NLM
http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=13

glycols