Common questions

What are the side effects of breathing antifreeze fumes?

What are the side effects of breathing antifreeze fumes?

The harmful chemical within antifreeze that causes these side effects is called ethylene glycol. The active chemical in antifreeze, ethylene glycol, poses additional hazards in addition to harmful fumes.

Is it safe to put antifreeze in your Radiator?

Antifreeze, a combination of water, ethylene glycol and other chemicals, is used in all types of vehicles to prevent radiator fluid from boiling over on hot days and freezing on cold days. Ethylene glycol, in particular, is toxic and can cause breathing and heart difficulty, brain damage,…

Why are antifreeze fumes heavier than air?

Because ethylene glycol vapors are heavier than air, they can collect in poorly-ventilated areas, particularly those that are below ground level. When using ethylene glycol, one must be cautious to do so in a well ventilated area as to not let the fumes collect.

What to do if you get exposed to antifreeze fumes?

In the case of skin exposure, ethylene glycol will generally only cause mild irritation. The fumes of the chemical are far more harmful than physical contact with the substance. In the case of skin exposure, soap and water should be used to prevent irritation.

The harmful chemical within antifreeze that causes these side effects is called ethylene glycol. The active chemical in antifreeze, ethylene glycol, poses additional hazards in addition to harmful fumes.

Because ethylene glycol vapors are heavier than air, they can collect in poorly-ventilated areas, particularly those that are below ground level. When using ethylene glycol, one must be cautious to do so in a well ventilated area as to not let the fumes collect.

Antifreeze, a combination of water, ethylene glycol and other chemicals, is used in all types of vehicles to prevent radiator fluid from boiling over on hot days and freezing on cold days. Ethylene glycol, in particular, is toxic and can cause breathing and heart difficulty, brain damage,…

In the case of skin exposure, ethylene glycol will generally only cause mild irritation. The fumes of the chemical are far more harmful than physical contact with the substance. In the case of skin exposure, soap and water should be used to prevent irritation.

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Ruth Doyle