Ethylene Glycol Latest News
Telangana Drug Control Administration (DCA) recently issued a stop use notice for a batch of Almont-Kid Syrup contaminated with toxic Ethylene Glycol (EG).
About Ethylene Glycol
- It is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, and water-soluble organic compound.
- It is usually produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with water.
- It is the simplest member of the glycol family of organic compounds.
- Its chemical formula is C2H6O2, and it is a diol (a compound containing two hydroxyl groups).
- It is a slightly viscous liquid that boils at 198°C (388.4°F).
- Applications:
- It has a wide range of other applications in industries such as automotive, manufacturing, chemical synthesis, and plastics production.
- It is primarily used as an antifreeze and coolant in automotive and industrial applications due to its ability to significantly lower the freezing point of liquids.
- It is used as an ingredient in hydraulic fluids, printing inks, and paint solvents.
- It is also used as a reagent in making polyesters, explosives, alkyd resins, and synthetic waxes.
- EG Poisoning?
- EG is highly poisonous; animals or humans that drink the solution become very ill and may die.
- Automotive antifreeze, containing 95% EG, is the most common source of EG poisoning.
Source: TH
Ethylene Glycol (EG) FAQs
Q1: What is Ethylene Glycol (EG)?
Ans: It is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, water-soluble organic compound.
Q2: How is Ethylene Glycol usually produced?
Ans: By the reaction of ethylene oxide with water.
Q3: What is the chemical formula of Ethylene Glycol?
Ans: C₂H₆O₂.
Q4: Why is Ethylene Glycol widely used as an antifreeze?
Ans: Because it significantly lowers the freezing point of liquids.
Q5: What is the most common source of Ethylene Glycol poisoning?
Ans: Automotive antifreeze containing about 95% Ethylene Glycol.
