>From: Johnmowog@aol.com
>
>be aware that the coolant brand that advertises that it is "safe" is not
>even close to safe.
NOT SO. I assume you are referring to Sierra brand antifreeze, which is
mostly propylene glycol.
Most brands are made up essentially ethylene glycol, which is lethal in
humans at a dose of about 100ml. (um, about 5 or 6 ounces).
HOWEVER, propylene glycol (i.e. the Sierra brand) is considered by
toxicologists to be essentially harmless to humans (prob. because it is
converted to acetic acid in the body; i.e. vinegar.) It's so safe, that
it's used as a solvent in some pharmaceuticals! It's used as an antifreeze
in dairies and breweries because of its non-toxicity, and is an ingredient
in some spray-type air disinfectants. So why haven't manufacturers used it
as an automotive antifreeze before? Simple economics. It costs a lot
more. Want to know more? A review of toxicity, metabolism and
biochemistry appears in _Toxicology_and_Applied_Pharmocology_, Vol. 21,
p.102.
Yes. I am a chemist.
Lee M. Daniels Laboratory for Molecular Structure and Bonding Texas A&M
daniels@tamu.edu (409) 845-3726 Fax (409) 845-9351
'74 TR6 '77 MGB
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