# Types of Antifreeze **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 22, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202 "2003-01-22T13:58:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/1 "2003-01-22T13:58:04Z")
Maybe some SDoper can spark my memory. What are the two types of anti-freeze? (ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, IIRC?) And, which one is harmless, if eaten? It is often used as a preservative in some foods, for example. Maybe if we carbonate it, it’d make a nice, fruity drink! 😃 Mmmm! And, it’s so tasty, too! - Jinx, unpoopular (sic) and pops out at parties 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/2 "2003-01-22T14:21:40Z")
Go here–[http://www.vspn.org/Library/Projects/VSPN\_P00297\_IMC03938.htm--and](http://www.vspn.org/Library/Projects/VSPN_P00297_IMC03938.htm--and) click on the internal “next” button for a quick run-through of antifreeze types and toxicity concerns. While propylene glycol is less toxic than ethylene glycol, it’s not harmless-- [http://www.vetcentric.com/magazine/magazineArticle.cfm?ARTICLEID=1240](http://www.vetcentric.com/magazine/magazineArticle.cfm?ARTICLEID=1240) …but apparently it’s not a significant concern for humans– _The nontoxic properties of propylene glycol are particularly advantageous. They permit its use as a coolant in the refrigeration systems of dairies, breweries and food processing plants where a leak in the system could cause the refrigerant to come into contact with the products._–although I would think extremely low dosage is a key factor here. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/3 "2003-01-22T14:24:50Z")
Neither of them is “harmless” if ingested. Hawaiian Punch is “harmless” if ingested. Antifreeze isn’t. Drinking ethylene glycol might put you in Intensive Care… > **[Ethylene glycol poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000774.htm)** > > Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting chemical. It is poisonous if swallowed. > [@](#): > > Most people with ethylene glycol toxicity will need to be admitted to the intensive care unit for close monitoring, and may require mechanical ventilation (the “respirator”) and other advanced treatments. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate solution is used to reverse severe acidosis. …whereas propylene glycol will just make you sick. [http://www.cah.com/library/antifreeze.html](http://www.cah.com/library/antifreeze.html) > [@](#): > > Propylene glycol, on the other hand - although not entirely nontoxic - is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol. These products do provide an added margin of safety in the event of accidental ingestion. However, it still can cause death if a large amount is ingested. [http://www.healthy-communications.com/msdspropyleneglycolnewjersey.html](http://www.healthy-communications.com/msdspropyleneglycolnewjersey.html) > [@](#): > > PROPYLENE GLYCOL > Ingestion: > Relatively toxic. Ingestion of sizable amount (over 100ml) may cause gastrointestinal upset and temporary central nervous system depression. Effects appear more severe in individuals with kidney problems. > Not expected to require first aid measures. Give several glasses of water to drink to dilute. If large amounts were swallowed, get medical advice. > > In case of ingestion, monitor for acidosis and central nervous system changes. Exposed persons with previous kidney dysfunction may require special treatment. Propylene glycol is the food preservative, but again, just because it’s a food preservative doesn’t mean it’s “harmless” to drink. [http://www.dow.com/dog/product/prod18.htm](http://www.dow.com/dog/product/prod18.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/4 "2003-01-22T14:25:04Z")
Let’s see if this link works for that first one I mentioned (here starting on the third “slide” in the series)–[http://www.vspn.org/Library/Projects/VSPN\_P00297\_IMC03940.htm](http://www.vspn.org/Library/Projects/VSPN_P00297_IMC03940.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/5 "2003-01-22T14:26:19Z")
Howcumwhyfore them links don’t link??? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/6 "2003-01-22T14:28:29Z")
VBulletin wants a carriage return in front of the http before it’ll make it into a link. [http://www.vspn.org/Library/Projects/VSPN\_P00297\_IMC03940.htm](http://www.vspn.org/Library/Projects/VSPN_P00297_IMC03940.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/7 "2003-01-22T14:34:32Z")
Thanks for the info and for the fix. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/types-of-antifreeze/150202/8 "2003-01-24T16:22:48Z")
[http://pested.unl.edu/chapter8.htm](http://pested.unl.edu/chapter8.htm) An oral LD50 is the amount of pure active ingredient (in milligrams/kilogram of the animal’s body weight) that results in 50% mortality to laboratory rodents when administered orally. (The lower the number the more toxic the ingredient) ```auto propylene glycol 27,000 ethylene glycol 8,540 vitamin A 7,910 table salt 3,750 ibuprofen 626 caffeine 355 nicotine 0.3 ```