What is ethylene glycol found in

Upper explosive flammable limit in air UEL : Extinguish fires using an agent suitable for the type of surrounding fire. Keep run-off water out of sewers and water sources. Also consider initial evacuation for 0. Immediately isolate an ethylene glycol spill or leak area for at least ft m in all directions. Hazardous amounts may develop quickly in enclosed, poorly ventilated, or low-lying areas.

Keep out of these areas and upwind. Ethylene glycol toxicity is categorized into three broad overlapping stages of adverse health effects.

Stage 1 the neurological stage lasts from 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion. Stage 2 the cardiopulmonary stage occurs between 12 and 24 hours after ingestion. Stage 3 the renal stage occurs between 24 and 72 hours after ingestion. The co-ingestion of alcohol can significantly delay adverse health effects. Initial adverse health effects caused by ethylene glycol intoxication include: central nervous system depression, intoxication, euphoria, stupor, and respiratory depression. Nausea and vomiting may occur as a result of gastrointestinal irritation.

Severe toxicity may result in coma, loss of reflexes, seizures uncommon , and irritation of the tissues lining the brain. Exposure to liquid ethylene glycol may result in swelling of the eyelid and cornea, swelling of the conjunctiva and iris, and conjunctival or corneal injury. Mild to moderate, Stage 2: Increased heart rate tachycardia ; abnormal or disordered heart rhythms dysrhythmia ; increased blood pressure hypertension ; and build-up of toxic breakdown products in the blood stream metabolic acidosis , resulting in increased rate and depth of breathing hyperventilation.

Mild to moderate, Stage 3: Effects are unusual following a mild to moderate exposure. Severe, Stage 1: Decreased reflex responses, seizures, loss of consciousness, and coma. Severe, Stage 2: More severe build-up of toxic breakdown products in the blood stream, resulting in increased rate and depth of breathing; heart damage, including congestive heart failure, resulting in buildup of fluid in the lungs pulmonary edema ; lung damage, including adult respiratory distress syndrome ARDS , resulting in a decreased oxygen supply to the body; multi-system organ failure; and death.

Severe, Stage 3: Reduced urine excretion; absence of urine excretion; and acute kidney failure, causing a build-up of toxic chemicals and chemical imbalances in the blood stream.

Exposure to levels of ethylene glycol concentrations higher than 80 ppm results in intolerable respiratory discomfort and cough. Decontaminate carefully because absorbed agent can release from clothing and skin as a gas. Your Incident Commander will provide you with decontaminants specific for the agent released or the agent believed to have been released.

The warm zone should include two decontamination corridors. One decontamination corridor is used to enter the warm zone and the other for exiting the warm zone into the cold zone.

The decontamination zone for exiting should be upwind and uphill from the zone used to enter. Decontamination area workers should wear appropriate PPE. See the PPE section of this card for detailed information. A solution of detergent and water with a pH value of at least 8 but not higher than Soft brushes should be available to remove contamination from the PPE. Labeled, durable 6-mil polyethylene bags should be available for disposal of contaminated PPE.

Always move in a downward motion from head to toe. Make sure to get into all areas, especially folds in the clothing. Wash and rinse using cold or warm water until the contaminant is thoroughly removed. Place all PPE in labeled durable 6-mil polyethylene bags. Remove all clothing at least down to their undergarments and place the clothing in a labeled durable 6-mil polyethylene bag. First Aid. As ethylene glycol absorbs rapidly from the gastrointestinal GI tract, gastric aspiration by use of a nasogastric tube may be useful.

Immediately wash eyes with large amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately. Do not induce vomiting emesis.

Monitor heart function. Evaluate for low blood pressure hypotension , abnormal heart rhythms dysrhythmias , and reduced respiratory function respiratory depression. Evaluate for low blood sugar hypoglycemia , electrolyte disturbances, and low oxygen levels hypoxia. Evaluate respiratory function and pulse. If shortness of breath occurs or breathing is difficult dyspnea , administer oxygen.

Assist ventilation as required. Always use a barrier or bag-valve-mask device. If breathing has ceased apnea , provide artificial respiration. Ethylene glycol is a major component of deicing solutions used in a variety of transportation applications, including cars, boats and aircraft, as well as on airport runways during the cold winter months. Ethylene glycol also is an ingredient in hydraulic brake fluid products. A person could be exposed to ethylene glycol through skin contact when using automobile antifreeze.

According to the U. Many states now require the addition of a bittering agent to antifreeze to help prevent the ingestion of antifreeze. The U. Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved ethylene glycol as an indirect food additive, for use as a component of adhesives used in food packaging.

Ingesting ethylene glycol can cause serious illness. The first symptom of ethylene glycol ingestion is similar to the feeling caused by drinking alcohol ethanol. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, stupor or unconsciousness, according to the CDC. If you suspect possible ethylene glycol poisoning, seek emergency care immediately. While ethylene glycol itself has a relatively low degree of toxicity, its metabolites are responsible for extensive cellular damage to various tissues, especially the kidneys.

This injury is caused by the metabolites, glycolic and oxalic acid and their respective salts, through crystal formation and possibly other mechanisms. Toxic metabolites of ethylene glycol can damage the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs. The poisoning causes disturbances in the metabolism pathways, including metabolic acidosis.

The disturbances may be severe enough to cause profound shock, organ failure, and death.