Anybody heard of this stuff? It sounds like an oil additive to me. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs96.html
Propylene glycol is also a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. Like ethylene glycol, propylene glycol is also used to make polyester compounds, and as a base for de-icing solutions. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors and flavors, and in the paint and plastics industries. Propylene glycol is also used to create artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting training and in theatrical productions. Other names for propylene glycol are 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol.
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Propylene glycol breaks down at the same rate as ethylene glycol, although it does not form harmful crystals when it breaks down. Frequent skin exposure to propylene glycol can sometimes irritate the skin.
I find it interesting that the FDA says it's generally recognized as safe, but the ATSDR includes it with toxic substances. After reading about it, I suppose it's not that scary.
You see, I was just at Burger King, and I thought, "Wow, this Zesty Onion Ring Sauce is pretty good. I wonder what's in it," and Propylene Glycol Alginate jumped out at me. I just don't know if I like the idea of ingesting an antifreeze that is used as a solvent for artificial colors and flavors. Oh well.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs96.html
Propylene glycol is also a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. Like ethylene glycol, propylene glycol is also used to make polyester compounds, and as a base for de-icing solutions. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors and flavors, and in the paint and plastics industries. Propylene glycol is also used to create artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting training and in theatrical productions. Other names for propylene glycol are 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol.
...
Propylene glycol breaks down at the same rate as ethylene glycol, although it does not form harmful crystals when it breaks down. Frequent skin exposure to propylene glycol can sometimes irritate the skin.
I find it interesting that the FDA says it's generally recognized as safe, but the ATSDR includes it with toxic substances. After reading about it, I suppose it's not that scary.
You see, I was just at Burger King, and I thought, "Wow, this Zesty Onion Ring Sauce is pretty good. I wonder what's in it," and Propylene Glycol Alginate jumped out at me. I just don't know if I like the idea of ingesting an antifreeze that is used as a solvent for artificial colors and flavors. Oh well.