Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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 to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes and boats. It is also used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens and print shops according to ATSDR. Ethylene glycol can be found in some air-conditioning systems and geothermal heating/cooling systems, it is also an important precursor to polyester fibers and resins.
According to NIOSH, ethylene glycol is used in many industries. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to ethylene glycol, according to NIOSH, 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
Workers may be harmed from exposure to ethylene glycol with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. NIOSH states that exposure can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and respiratory system, and can 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 ethylene glycol.
These are just a few of the many things to know about ethylene glycol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
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 to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes and boats. It is also used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens and print shops according to ATSDR. Ethylene glycol can be found in some air-conditioning systems and geothermal heating/cooling systems, it is also an important precursor to polyester fibers and resins.
According to NIOSH, ethylene glycol is used in many industries. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to ethylene glycol, according to NIOSH, 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
Workers may be harmed from exposure to ethylene glycol with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. NIOSH states that exposure can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and respiratory system, and can 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 ethylene glycol.
These are just a few of the many things to know about ethylene glycol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
