Propylene glycol: the harm to the human body if inhaled
Many people have heard the name – propylene glycol, but really can't explain what it is and what is used. But, it turns out, everyone is faced with this stuff daily, and it has a certain effect on the body. When using cosmetic and hygienic products and medicines penetrate into the body of toxic substances. The same happens when you eat certain foods. Propylene glycol is harmful for the body doesn't, very rarely after the use of products with him have problems with health.
General characteristics of chemical compounds
Propylene glycol is a liquid chemical substance which is absolutely colorless. He has a mild aroma and a pleasant sweet taste. The connection is being made from petroleum products by a special technology. To obtain this substance from acetal, a variety of alcohols and liquid.
This substance is highly soluble in water, ethanol, acetone and chloroform. The compound does not cause corrosion, is characterized by low volatility and very weak toxicity.
Almost half of everything produced in the world propylene glycol is used for production of unsaturated polyester resins.
The scope of propylene glycol
First, it is a colorless chemical substance that is produced by synthesis, has received wide distribution in cosmetology. It plays not only the role of a preservative for cosmetics and perfumes, but also serves as a good moisturizer. Propylene glycol binds to water particles and prevents its excretion through the pores of the skin the natural way. According to this principle work moisturizing creams and different deodorants that, as they say commercials can get rid of sweat a day.
Already a little later propylene glycol began to be used in the food industry to preserve the flavor characteristics of products. Now this Supplement you can find in certain varieties of vegetable oil in feeds for Pets, vegetable and cream and different preserves. Often, this substance is added to tobacco and liquids that are filled in electronic cigarette. It helps to improve the quality of inhaled smoke. Propylene glycol is in the elixirs to care for the oral cavity, special fluids for glass that prevents them from freezing in obedinitelej for the aviation industry. It can be detected in heating systems and air conditioning systems. Is not the whole list of areas where the use of this chemical additive.
Do the benefits of propylene glycol
Surprisingly, propylene glycol is beneficial in so many different areas – from food to aviation industry. This material has several indisputable advantages:
- Retains the taste of the food and retain natural moisture.
- Enhances the action of certain medications, so pharmacists it is added to drugs.
- Helps regulate the temperature of the liquid – this feature is especially handy when there is a need for prolonged storage of perishable foods. Supplement able to create a cooling effect, acts as a portable refrigerator, but without power supply.
Dietary Supplement Е1520 works on the principle of the freezer, however, the temperature is different. But in the case of perishable products, even a small cooling plays a role.
Although propylene glycol is synthesized from petroleum products, he does not have the properties to accumulate in the body and is quickly removed by natural means.
How dangerous is propylene glycol
Е1520 additive approved for use in the food industry. It is considered completely safe and does not cause serious side effects. But all is not so rosy. The dangers of propylene glycol for human body is quite significant, if consumed an excessive amount of this substance. So, if in the blood concentration of a chemical compound is more than 1 gram/liter, it starts acute intoxication. This usually occurs in only three cases:
- Overdose of oral drugs, which is composed of propylene glycol.
- Incorrect intravenous administration of drugs. In case of overdose of drugs that contain this chemical element may be hypotension, bradycardia, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest and other violations.
- Accidental ingestion of large quantities of chemical substances.
Propylene glycol can have an impact on the entire human body. A pair of chemical component cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. Accidental inhalation of this Supplement will not lead to serious consequences. But chronic inhalation of mist from propylene glycol is used in theatrical performances, leads to irritation of the respiratory organs. The effect of propylene glycol on the lungs is negligible, couples usually settle in the upper respiratory tract.
Prolonged contact of undiluted substance with the skin there is no danger. The skin practically does not react to propylene glycol. The exception may be people with allergies who have, you may notice a redness.
Stableincreased concentration of propylene glycol in the room leads to the emergence of immune diseases and diseases of the respiratory organs. With constant inhalation of the ethers developing asthma, hay fever, eczema and severe allergic reactions. High concentration chemicals in the environment can be achieved through the use of latex paint and some detergent.
The use of propylene glycol in cosmetics
The harmful effects of chemical compounds on the human body through cosmetic means not yet fully understood, but have managed to compare some facts:
- With constant use of cosmetics that contain a product of the oil industry, may experience a severe allergic reaction, including dermatitis.
- Chemical substance may be composed of impurities – lead and arsenic. When cosmetics with dangerous additives is applied to irritated or deformed skin, the consequences will be dire. Inflammation of the skin increases, there may be long unhealed sores.
- Propylene glycol is often a substitute of expensive glycerin in the composition of different creams. This substance makes the skin smooth and velvety, but it acts on the skin is not very favorable. Propylene glycol in the epidermis neutralize the beneficial compounds that very quickly leads to aging.
Following common sense, cosmetics, which contains propylene glycol, it is better to avoid. Especially do not need to buy these cosmetic products for the care of delicate baby skin.
Often after bathing kids mom noticed redness and rash on the skin. This often results in poor quality of children's cosmetics. For a long time to heal from dermatitis, better before buying to study the composition of an asset.
The use of the compounds in the means to care for children
In recent years, pediatricians are increasingly recorded allergic diseases in children of different ages. To reduce the risk of allergies, you need to carefully choose the means of care of delicate baby skin. Dermatologists advise not to buy baby creams, shampoos and other means, if in the composition is propylene glycol. This is because experts are talking about it toxic effects on a weak body. So, according to some studies, propylene glycol can cause malfunctions in the liver and kidney in children. In addition, in the early 90-ies were published data studies that have proved its negative effect on the delicate baby skin.
Usually leading manufacturers of children's cosmetics value their reputation and do not add questionable substances in products for kids. Therefore, when choosing shampoos, gels and creams for children not worth saving, better to take the product is more expensive, but the quality.
Application in pharmaceutical industry
Strange that the questionable benefits of this substance for human health and it is actively used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. In medicine, the compound acts as a cheap solvent. Similar volatile compounds in combination with salicylic acid have good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. So if propylene glycol is harmful to health, whether to buy medicine, where he is in the lineup? It is necessary to understand in detail.
The harmful effects of polypropylene are not yet fully understood, but thoroughly studied the similar chemical element – ethylene glycol, which has similar properties. The difference between these two compounds lies only in the mode of production and the degree of purification.
Thus, the ethylene glycol causes hormonal disorders and provokes the dysfunction of the reproductive system. It can also be the cause of congenital abnormalities in the child. But all this can take place only when excessive and uncontrolled consumption of a chemical element, in other cases it is completely harmless.
Thanks to the almost complete innocuousness of these two substances are not included in the list of prohibited and used by manufacturers in the production of various goods.
Liquid for electronic cigarettes
Electronic cigarette is a rather popular hobby today. This cigarette does not exude toxic fumes, and in special liquids for refilling low nicotine. These devices often become heavy smokers who are trying to get rid of the addiction. Nicotine in these cigarettes is really almost there, but in the evaporator there are many other substances, one of them is propylene glycol. Before purchasing such a device need to know, harmful if propylene glycol is in electronic cigarettes.
There are several opinions as to whether it is harmful chemical compound. Manufacturers of electronic cigarette and attributes to them the claim that the harm from Smoking liquids with propylene glycol no one. This chemical element is absolutely not deposited in the body and not deposited in the lower respiratory tract.
But independent experts argue that the danger of Smoking is. They give strong arguments in favor of the fact that this preservative can cause severe allergic reactions that can manifest not only skinthe rash, but also a feeling of heaviness in the chest.
People who are prone to allergies to medications, you should not buy electronic cigarette. In addition to propylene glycol-the liquid is the flavorings and other substances that may cause an exacerbation of the disease.
Application in food production
With the wide scale use of this chemical compound and in the production of food products. In the list of permitted food additives, it is listed as Е1520. Most often, this compound is added to foods as a preservative, in addition, it helps a long time to save them from excessive drying out.
Doctors and nutritionists do not recommend to consume products, which have additives and various preservatives. But Е1520 considered relatively harmless substance that is allowed to consume in small doses. This Supplement causes health disorders and not retained in the body.
You need to remember that this Supplement is harmless only in the case if it does not exceed the permissible values. Otherwise it may develop severe intoxication.
Every day every person is surrounded by many objects and substances, some of them can be dangerous. Propylene glycol is not considered a highly toxic substance, therefore, acceptable for use in many sectors of the economy. Products containing this compound are used with caution in the presence of allergic diseases in anamnesis, and also at younger children.