What is glycol

One study of 38 sensitive people given propylene glycol by mouth found that 15 of them developed a rash within 3 to 16 hours In addition, propylene glycol can cause irritant contact dermatitis. In this case, a rash may develop in sensitive people when their skin comes into contact with products that contain it, such as shampoo or moisturizer 6.

People who already have skin conditions or sensitive skin are at particular risk of contact allergy to this additive 6. For people with allergic dermatitis, it is best to avoid all sources of propylene glycol.

For contact dermatitis, avoid products containing it that come into contact with the skin. While propylene glycol is generally considered safe, you may still choose to avoid it if you are allergic or you simply want to reduce your intake.

It is found in many different food products and can be identified by checking the ingredients list. The names it may be listed under include:. Common foods include soft drinks, marinades and dressings, cake mix, frosting, popcorn, food coloring, fast foods, bread and dairy products 6 , Unfortunately, if propylene glycol is used as a carrier or solvent for another additive, such as flavor or color instead of a direct ingredient, it may not be listed on the food label However, the majority of foods containing it are highly processed junk foods.

By consuming a fresh, healthy, whole foods diet, you can avoid most sources without too much trouble. You can also check the labels of cosmetic products, though avoiding it may be difficult. There are several helpful websites that can help you identify which products contain it.

If you have an allergy to propylene glycol, it is important to let your doctor or pharmacist know about it before taking certain medications. An alternative can usually be found. Propylene glycol is a useful chemical found in a wide variety of products across the food, drug, cosmetic and manufacturing industries. While there are cases of toxicity from very high doses of medication, it is overall considered a very low-toxicity substance. A small percentage of people are allergic to propylene glycol and may need to avoid products containing it.

Keep in mind that most of the foods containing propylene glycol are highly processed junk foods. A fresh, whole foods diet will naturally contain lower amounts of this additive. Antifreeze poisoning can lead to serious health complications if not treated early. Here's what you need to know. Most food allergies are caused by just 8 foods. This article explains what they are, what symptoms they cause and what you can do about it.

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Here are 13 of the best vitamin D supplements, according…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. The US and European food authorities have declared it as generally safe for use in foods. What Is Propylene Glycol? Share on Pinterest. Where and How Is It Used? In foods, propylene glycol may be used in the following ways 3 , 4 , 5 : Anti-caking agent: It helps prevent food components from sticking to one another and forming clumps, such as in dried soups or grated cheese.

Antioxidant: It extends the shelf life of foods by protecting them against deterioration caused by oxygen. Carrier: It dissolves other food additives or nutrients to be used in processing, such as colors, flavors or antioxidants.

Dough strengthener: It modifies the starches and gluten in dough to make it more stable. Emulsifier: It prevents food ingredients from separating, such as oil and vinegar in salad dressing. Moisture preserver: It helps foods maintain a stable level of moisture and stops them from drying out. Examples include marshmallows, coconut flakes and nuts. Processing aid: It is used to enhance the appeal or the use of a food, for example, to make a liquid clearer.

Stabilizer and thickener: It can be used to hold food components together or thicken them during and after processing. Texturizer: It can change the appearance or mouthfeel of a food. Summary Propylene glycol is commonly used as a food additive. It helps preserve moisture as well as dissolve colors and flavors. It is also used in some medications, cosmetic products, antifreeze and other industrial products.

Is Propylene Glycol in Food Dangerous? Glycol manufacturers such as Du Pont are required by law to provide a glycol level recommendation chart to consumers.

Though not a glycol manufacturer, North Slope Chillers is an expert in the use of propylene glycol in chiller systems. For more information about glycol concentrations, click here. You must be logged in to post a comment. Glycol can be used in cooling wraps to help bring down temperatures to desired levels.

There are a number of benefits using ethylene glycol over propylene glycol, especially in closed loop systems were risk of contact with food is minimal. For example, freeze point depression is much more effective using ethylene glycol — so more propylene glycol would be required to maintain the same freeze point as ethylene. As well as this, due to the lower viscosity of ethylene glycol it possesses excellent heat transfer properties. The use of propylene or ethylene glycol depends on the application in hand and the risk of accidental contact with food, potable water or human ingestion.

For example, in aeroplane de-icing propylene glycol is used for both removing ice and contaminates from an aeroplane as well as being used during winter and periods of snowfall to actively prevent accumulation of snow and ice.

It is also present in a number of supermarket antifreeze products. Whereas ethylene glycol would be used in closed systems and in controlled industrial applications. Monarch Chemicals supplies both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol as well as the Moncool inhibited glycol range.

For more information on selecting the right glycol for your application or formulation please contact us. Skip to main content Quick Contact.