Antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats are made with ethylene glycol. It is also used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens, and print shops. Ethylene glycol can also be found in some air-conditioning systems and geothermal heating/cooling systems, and it is an important precursor to polyester fibers and resins.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes ethylene glycol as a colorless, syrupy liquid. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that ethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water, is odorless, and has a sweet taste, although it is poisonous.
Ethylene glycol is used in many industries. Some examples of workers listed by NIOSH that could be at risk of being exposed to ethylene glycol include:
- Factory workers involved in the manufacture of polyester
- Workers who use certain solvents
- Employees working with heating and cooling systems
- Factory workers exposed to certain manufacturing processes
“Exposure to ethylene glycol can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys, and respiratory system,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “It can even cause death if swallowed. ATSDR reports exposure to large amounts of ethylene glycol can damage the kidneys, nervous system, lungs, and heart. To help protect workers, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has set a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for it.”
With offices in New York and Florida that serve the nation, CTSI helps companies and institutions that utilize ethylene glycol and other industrial chemicals to protect their workers. Their industrial hygienists and environmental experts offer testing, monitoring, consulting, and training services to identify and mitigate these types of occupational exposure risks.
CTSI also recently sponsored an educational video about ethylene glycol and workplace exposure hazards that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/KPGnCIMNoYs
To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com, or call (212) 971-7016.
About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI's reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals' concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.
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