Ethylene glycol

Description

Ethylene glycol was first synthesized in 1859; however, it did not become a public health concern until after World War II. In fact, the first published series of deaths from ethylene glycol consumption involved 18 soldiers who drank antifreeze as a substitute for ethanol. Despite the early recognition that patients who drank ethanol in addition to ethylene glycol had prolonged survival when compared to those drinking ethylene glycol alone, antidotal treatment of ethylene glycol toxicity with ethanol was not evaluated until the 1960s. Today, ethylene glycol poisoning continues to be a public health problem, particularly in the southeastern United States. In 2009, US poison control centers received 5282 calls about possible ethylene glycol exposures, and the toxicology community believes these exposures are underreported.

Description

As much of the country enters the deep freeze of winter, becomes important as a radiator antifreeze and as a major component of many aircraft deicing solutions.

The Uses of Ethylene glycol

Ethylene glycol is used as an antifreeze inheating and cooling systems (e.g., automobileradiators and coolant for airplane motors).It is also used in the hydraulic brake fluids;as a solvent for paints, plastics, and inks; as a softening agent for cellophane; and in themanufacture of plasticizers, elastomers, alkydresins, and synthetic fibers and waxes.

What are the applications of Application

Ethylene glycol is a useful chemical for immuno-affinity chromatography