Ethylene Glycol

(n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2018, from https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/10573/Engine-

Coolant-Antifreeze-Orange-1-Gallon-12346290/

Ethylene glycol is an organic chemical which most people use every day without knowing they do so; chances are if you drive a car you are a user of ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is primarily used in engine coolant as well as most antifreezes.² 

Ethylene glycol is a very toxic chemical which can cause serious harm to anyone who comes in contact with it.² The ingestion of the chemical can cause central nervous system damage, kidney failure or even death.^2,3 Most poisonings come from the ingestion of the chemical because of its sweet taste. This called upon manufacturers and governments to add a deterrent to the chemical. Dentonium benzoate is added in small doses to make it taste bitter and prevent children and animals from ingesting a lethal amount of the chemical.² The inhalation of the chemical is not nearly as severe as it is usually controlled in the workplace by the OSHA, where a standard is set for the amount of ethylene glycol fumes that can safely be in the work area (approximately 50 ppm).⁴

The special characteristics of ethylene glycol come from its physical properties and how those properties are altered when mixed in an aqueous solution. Most importantly, the melting point of ethylene glycol is only -13.7 degrees Celsius and the melting point of water is only 0 degrees Celsius¹. However, when ethylene glycol is mixed with water the melting point of this mixture is decreased to around -45 degrees Celsius⁵. Another important property is the low volatility of the chemical allowing it to not spontaneously combust under high temperatures and pressures.¹ Both of these properties allow ethylene glycol to be used as main ingredient in engine coolant as it can withstand the high temperatures of cooling an engine, as well it can be used universally in cold temperatures without worrying about it freezing in the lines like water would. 

Overall, ethylene glycol is not a dangerous chemical to work with if proper safety procedures are followed. In fact, I work with engine coolant almost every day and have never experienced any sort of harm from the chemical. The biggest controversies about ethylene glycol can be answered by using it properly and safely as well as following proper disposal laws of the substance. It is important to recycle this chemical, so it can be decomposed of properly.

References:

1.     DOW Ethylene Glycols. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2018, from https://www.dow.com/ethyleneglycol/about/properties.htm

2.   Ethylene glycol. (2018, December 01). Retrieved December 3, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol#Toxicity

3.   Ethylene glycol poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4,2018, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000774.htm

4.   Public Health Statement- Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol (Rep.). (2015, January 21). Retrieved December 5, 2018, from Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry website: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp96-c1-b.pdf 

5.    Staples, C. A., Williams, J. B., Craig, G. R., & Roberts, K. M. (2001). Fate, effects and potential environmental risks of ethylene glycol: A review. Chemosphere, 43(3), 377-383. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(00)00148-X.