How toxic is diethylene glycol? Is it only harmful when swallowed? Is it safe for such
chemicals to come into contact with cuts or burns on skin?
2007-09-20 16:00:24 · 4 answers · asked by Therese R 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The source is the Material Safety Data Sheet for this compound.
Judging from the source, I would say it would be a safe for use in a toothpaste as long as you do not expose it to fire.
Likewise, I would doubt the amount used in the paste would be high enough for it to be within the low toxic levels mentioned in the MSDS.
It claims 0.5 - 5 g of the stuff is needed per kg of body weight for it to be harmful. I, weighing 110 lbs, am just shy of 50 kg in mass. That means I would have to consume 25 g of diethylene glycol for it to reach hazardous levels. Considering that the typical tube of paste has a typical of about 130 grams, and I don't use 1/5 of a tube per brushing, I do not see myself in any danger what-so-ever.
2007-09-20 16:13:36 · answer #1 · answered by lhvinny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is safe enough for a business-friendly, consumer-hostile, Republican-run FDA to approve. Toxicity tends to decrease among homologues of higher molecular weight, and even though an ether alcohol isn't quite the same as a homologue, the principle is similar. Examples:
methanol is much more toxic than ethanol
formaldehyde is much more toxic than acetaldehyde
formic acid is more toxic than acetic acid
propylene glycol, also used in food, is less toxic than ethylene glycol, which has only one carbon fewer; diethylene glycol has two more carbons and an oxygen between hydroxyls; sugar alcohols have six carbons and six hydroxyls, compared to glycol with two of each.
When the FDA approves garbage like Spleccchda®, which tastes like chlorinated sugar because it's made from chlorinated sugar, you know whose side they're on.
2007-09-20 23:12:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exposure Limits: TLV not established.
Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans and animals. Several poisonings have occurred when DEG is substituted for the non-toxic naturally-occurring "triol" glycerine (HOCH2CH(OH)CH2OH, also called glycerol) in foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. Glycerine, which is higher melting (18 vs. -10.45 °C) and more viscous than DEG, costs about three times the price of DEG.
Because of its toxicity, diethylene glycol is not allowed for food and drugs. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations allows no more than 0.2% of diethylene glycol in polyethylene glycol when the latter is used as a food additive.
Ingestion:
Low acute toxicity. Probable lethal dose to humans is 0.5-5 g/kg. Causes nerve depression, liver and kidney lesions and anuria (urination retardation). Causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
2007-09-21 07:45:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually I'm surprised this compound has given rise to so much illness upon ingestion. After all, you're not supposed to eat your toothpaste. I can see where it might be fairly harmful to children.
It's probably a reasonably irritating organic substance. It's probably absorbed through the skin readily. You could do a google search for the MSDS. Look for the CAS number 111-46-6.
2007-09-20 23:12:06 · answer #4 · answered by Fly On The Wall 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋