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Ethylene glycol

Key Points

Fire

  • Slightly flammable
  • Reacts vigorously with oxidising agents
  • Emits acrid smoke and irritating smoke when heated to decomposition

Health

  • Harmful following ingestion
  • May be directly irritating to the eyes causing them to immediately sting, burn and water; also irritant to respiratory tract
  • Short-term exposure may initially result in central nervous system effects such as dizziness, agitation, spontaneous eye movement, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, nausea and vomiting
  • Short-term exposure may damage the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure.
  • Long term effects following severe intoxication include damage to the central nervous system
  • Long term skin exposure to ethylene glycol may cause dermatitis.
  • Ethylene glycol is not considered to be mutagenic or carcinogenic in humans
  • Ethylene glycol is not considered to cause damage to the unborn child

Environment

  • Avoid release into the environment
  • Inform the Environment Agency of substantial releases

 

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