On Wed, 11 Apr 2001, Peter Ogilvie wrote:
:Ethylene and propylene glycol are both toxic. The problem with ethylene
:glycol is it tastes sweet so is an attractant for little critters. They
:think its sugar water and lap it up, much to the discomfort of their
:innards. Propylene glycol is not tasty so even though its toxic it doesn't
:encourage the critters to lap it up.
The MSDS says of Propylene glycol:
Inhalation:
No adverse health effects via inhalation.
Ingestion:
Relatively non-toxic. Ingestion of sizable amount (over 100ml) may
cause some gastrointestinal upset and temporary central nervous system
depression. Effects appear more severe in individuals with kidney
problems.
Skin Contact:
Mild irritant and defatting agent, especially on prolonged contact.
Eye Contact:
May cause transitory stinging and tearing.
Chronic Exposure:
Lactic acidosis, stupor and seizures have been reported following
chronic ingestion.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Kidney disorders.
LD50 in both rats and rabbits is ~20g/Kg.
The FDA calls propylene glycol "generally recognized as safe". That means
it can be used as a food additive. It's used to absorb water in some
cosmetics, medicines, as an oil substitute, and as a solvent.
The other things that are in propylene glycol anti-freezes are not as
non-toxic.
-- dscheidt@tumbolia.com Bipedalism is only a fad.
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