Name

Ethylene Glycol

We recommend avoiding

Description

Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, syrupy liquid that is widely used for its antifreeze properties. It is a type of alcohol but is toxic to humans and animals if ingested. Ethylene glycol is mainly used in industrial and automotive applications, though it also has some uses in cosmetics in regulated concentrations.

Benefits

Solvent and humectant properties.

Considerations

• Acute Toxicity Ingesting or being exposed to high amounts of ethylene glycol can lead to organ failure. • Ethoxylated Chemical Created from carcinogenic ethylene oxide, traces of which can remain in the product along with its carcinogenic byproduct, 1,4-dioxane. • Birth Defects Has been found to cause birth defects in animal studies.

Synonyms

Ethane-1,2-diol 1,2-ethanediol monoethylene glycol 1,2-Dihydroxyethane 2-hydroxyethanol Glycol alcohol Ethylene alcohol Ethylene dihydrate ethanediol ethyleneglycol Aethylenglykol Glycol, ethylene- 1,2-Ethandiol 1,2-ethylene glycol Athylenglykol ethylen glycol

Research Sources

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/174 https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=733&toxid=133

Summary

Can be contaminated with carcinogenic ethyelene oxide, 1,4-dioxane. Antifreeze chemical can cause organ failure.