Propylene glycol

Synonyms

(+-)-1,2-Propanediol; (+-)-Propylene glycol; (RS)-1,2-Propanediol; 1,2-Dihydroxypropane; 1,2-Propylene glycol; 1,2-Propylenglykol [German]; 2,3-Propanediol; 2-Hydroxypropanol; DL-1,2-Propanediol; Dowfrost; Isopropylene glycol; Methylethyl glycol; Methylethylene glycol; Monopropylene glycol; PG 12; Propane-1,2-diol; Propylene Glycol USP; Propylene glycol; Sentry Propylene Glycol; Sirlene; Solar Winter BAN; Solargard P; Trimethyl glycol; Ucar 35; alpha-Propyleneglycol; dl-Propylene glycol; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Alcohols and Polyols, Other

Description

Clear, colorless, viscous liquid; [ChemIDplus]

Sources/Uses

Used in antifreeze and deicing solutions for cars, boats, and aircraft; also used as a solvent for paints and plastics and to create harmless, artificial smoke for training and theatrical purposes; [ATSDR ToxFAQs]

Comments

Propylene glycol is designated by the FDA as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for use as a food additive. It is commonly used in cosmetics and topical medications. Patch testing with propylene glycol is difficult because of irritant effects. It may cause allergic contact dermatitis in a small percentage of cases. It may also cause non-immunologic contact urticaria. [Marks, p. 156-7] Allergic contact dermatitis in a photographic developer using Flexicolor; [Kanerva, p. 1830] An eye irritant; [ICSC] Oral LD50 = 21,000 mg/kg in dogs; Causes CNS depression and coma in high-dose, animal-feeding studies; [AIHA] See "Ethylene glycol."

Biomedical References

0.13 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 99 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Whole body: 1.4-30.5 hours (longer in infants and shorter in adults); [TDR, p. 1056]

Reference Link #2

must be preheated

10 mg/m3

Yes

Acute solvent syndrome

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)
• Photographic Processing