Ethylene glycol

Synonyms

1,2-Dihydroxyethane; 1,2-Ethanediol; 146AR; 2-Hydroxyethanol; Aethylenglykol [German]; Dowtherm SR 1; Ethylene alcohol; Ethylene dihydrate; Ethylene glycol; Fridex; Glycol; Glycol alcohol; Glycol, ethylene-; Lutrol-9; Macrogol 400 BPC; Monoethylene glycol; Norkool; Ramp; Tescol; Ucar 17; Union Carbide XL 54 Type I De-icing Fluid; Zerex; [ChemIDplus] UN8027

Category

Ethylene Glycols

Description

Clear, colorless, syrupy, odorless liquid. [antifreeze] [Note: A solid below 9 degrees F.]; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used in antifreeze and deicing solutions for cars, boats, and aircraft; also used as a solvent for paints, plastics, photographic developing solutions, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and inks; [ATSDR ToxFAQs] Highest risk for exposure in deicing aircraft and runways; [Reference #2] Occupational exposure mainly through skin and eyes, but also inhalation if heated or aerosolized; 50% solution used to de-ice bridges; Has been used in adhesives, polishes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals; [ACGIH]

Comments

TLV Basis is upper respiratory tract irritation; The oral lethal dose in adult humans is about 1.4 ml/kg or about 100 ml. No adverse effects to human eyes after 4 weeks of exposure to 6.6 ppm; [ACGIH] Ethylene glycol is a skin irritant and a poison by ingestion. No health effects have been reported in persons chronically exposed to levels of ethylene glycol found in the environment. [ATSDR Case Studies #30] "Toxic inhalation of ethylene glycol is unlikely at room temperature because of the chemical's low volatility, but can occur when the liquid is heated, agitated, or sprayed." Toxicity after ingestion includes inebriation, metabolic acidosis, and renal failure. [ATSDR Medical Management] Ethylene glycol is not significantly absorbed through the skin. Poisoning after inhalation exposure is "unlikely." [Ford, p. 758] Combined osmolar and anion gaps suggest poisoning by methanol or ethylene glycol, but also may occur in severe alcoholic ketoacidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis. [Olson, p. 35] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause effects on the kidneys and CNS; [ICSC] Causes acute tubular necrosis after ingestion but not after occupational exposures because of low vapor pressure; [Rosenstock, p. 1006]

Biomedical References

No

25 ppm, vapor fraction

50 ppm, vapor fraction (10 mg/m3, inhalable particulate matter, aerosol only

10 ppm (can also occur as vapor and aerosol)

0.05 mm Hg

159 ppm

LC (rat) > 200 mg/m3/4h

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 232 deg F; Odor threshold; [ACGIH] VP from HSDB;

Serum: 2-3 hours; not detectable in urine or tissues after 24-48 hours (metabolites present for longer periods); [TDR, p. 659]

must be preheated

50 ppm

200 ppm

300 ppm

Other CNS neurotoxin

Yes

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)
• Photographic Processing
• Working with Glues and Adhesives