Antifreeze has made US soldiers fall ill

Eleven US soldiers fell sick after accidentally drinking ethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze. According to a Reuters report, the soldiers from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas were completing a 10-day field training exercise when the incident occurred.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2021

Ethylene glycol is an industrial compound found in consumer products including automotive antifreeze, hydraulic brake fluids, some stamp pad inks, ballpoint pens, solvents, paints, plastics, films, and cosmetics and is also used as a pharmaceutical vehicle.

It is a synthetic liquid, which is odourless and is used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes and boats.

Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste and is often accidentally or intentionally ingested.

Once ingested, ethylene glycol is chemically broken down into toxic compounds. These by-products then affect the central nervous system (CNS), the heart and then the kidneys. CDC says that the ingestion of sufficient amounts can be fatal.

Ethylene glycol can be disseminated through indoor air, water, food, outdoor air and agricultural products.