What is Propylene Glycol and How can it Harm You?

                                       


Propylene Glycol (PG, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), and Ethylene Glycol (EG) are all petroleum derivatives that act as solvents, surfactants, and wetting agents. They can easily penetrate the skin, and can weaken protein and cellular structure. In fact, PG penetrates the skin so quickly that the EPA warns factory workers to avoid skin contact, to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. PG is present in many stick deodorants, often in heavier concentration than in most industrial applications. (Nyack, Dr. Vin, Ph.D., Biochemist; personal communication). And Propylene Glycol is what is used to carry the active ingredients in those transdermal patches INTO YOUR BODY.


Imagine a bottle of Anti-Freeze in a picture with shampoos, deodorants, cosmetics, lotions and toothpastes? The question you should be asking is, What is Anti-Freeze doing IN my shampoos, deodorants, cosmetics, lotions and toothpaste? Yes, the main ingredient in anti-freeze is in all of these products. Shocked? You should be! You need to understand what it could do to your health?


PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Is a colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid CH3CHOHCH2OH, used in anti-freeze solutions, in hydraulic fluids, and as a solvent, Also called "Propanediol" in American Heritage Encyclopedia Dictionary 


PROPYLENE GLYCOL is used in:
Anti-Freeze * Brake and Hydraulic Fluid * De-Icer * Paints and Coatings * Floor Wax * Laundry Detergents * Pet Food * Tobacco * Cosmetics * Toothpastes * Shampoos * Deodorants * Lotions * Processed Foods and many more personal care items. Check out your body lotions, deodorant, hair conditioner, hair gel, creams, and many more products! Propylene Glycol serves as a Humectant a substance that helps retain moisture content, or simply it prevents things from drying out. That's why some pet foods are soft and chewy. This, of course, is a good reason it's in cosmetics and other personal care items. It makes the skin feel moist and soft. And, the products don't dry out. Propylene Glycol is also found in baby wipes and even some processed foods! Go Ahead, check your labels!


A published clinical review showed propylene glycol causes a significant number of reactions and was a primary irritant to the skin even in low levels of concentrations. The American Academy of Dermatologists, Inc; Jan. 1991

What can PROPYLENE GLYCOL Do To Us?
In 1938, the FDA grandfathered the use of several ingredients as safe for personal care items, with restrictions of course. Based on what? There were no studies on repeated exposure over time.
The problem is PROPYLENE GLYCOL may be absorbed through the skin. Studies have shown SYSTEMIC retention (residue throughout).

NOW THIS OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME!
Has anyone or any company tested the long-range side effects from constant use of these products? We haven't found any. Do these complex chemicals build up in our bodies? If Propylene Glycol keeps things from drying out. If it's absorbed into our bloodstream and into our cells, what does it do? Does it affect any of the simple, natural biological functions at the cellular level? You don't need a study to say it is possible, even likely.


You do need a conclusive study to make the producers stop using these ingredients! Yes, this is beginning to sound like another great American Tobacco Scandal. But before you get complacent and think the government is going to step in, think again. Look how long it has taken the cigarette pushers to get grilled 20 years after the first Surgeon General's report.


The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Propylene Glycol says: May be harmful by ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye irritation, skin irritation. Chronic exposure can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances, nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous system depression. (Toxicological profile for ethylene glycol and propylene glycol (update).? Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 1996. Atlanta, Ga; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.)


Propylene glycol is also used as a solvent in acrylics, stains, inks and dyes, and in cellophane and brake fluid. It is used as a preservative in flavored coffees. PG can have an anesthetic effect. Other side effects on animals exposed to PG include heart arrhythmia, stunted growth, decreased blood pressure, and even death. In the book "Beauty to Die For" the cosmetic consequence by Judi Vance gives the following information: 


"Propylene glycol is one of the most common humectants. It is used in many cosmetics including liquid foundation makeup, spray deodorants, baby lotions, emollients or moisturizers, lipsticks and suntan lotions." 


It is less expensive than glycerin and has a better permeation rate. It has also been linked to sensitivity reactions -- local irritations, allergic reactions. This would not be news to the manufacturers of propylene glycol. If you were to purchase a drum of this chemical from a manufacturer he is required to furnish you with a material safety data sheet (MSDS) and it may alarm you to find that this common, widely used humectant has a cautionary warning in its MSDS that reads, 


"If on skin: thoroughly wash with soap and water!" 


What? Aren't we putting this stuff on our skin daily, sometimes in copious amounts over long periods of time? It's no wonder propylene glycol has been linked to many severe health problems including contact dermatitis (irritation), auto toxicity, kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It has been shown to be toxic to human cells in cultures. (Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Jan. 1987) In fact, in tests conducted over the years propylene glycol has been shown to inhibit skin cells growth in human tests and cell respiration in animal tests. (J. Pharm. Belg. Nov/Dec 1989). It was found to cause skeletal muscular damage in rats and rabbits (Pharm Res Sept. 1989). It is reported to directly alter cell membranes (Human Reproduction, Feb 1990) to cause thickening of the skin (contact dermatitis, 1987) skin dehydration and chronic surface damage to skin ( Derm. Beruf Umwelt July/Aug, 1988) It was also shown to increase beta activity (changes found in anxiety states) when inhaled. (The Medical Post Sept 27, 1994.)


Propylene glycol is a known irritant and sensitizer causing dryness, erythema (abnormal redness) and even blistering. (Safety Evaluation of a Barrier Cream, Contact Dermatitis, 17:10-12, 1987)
Despite its record, propylene glycol continues to appear in our everyday products. It was originally developed for use in industry as an anti-freeze, brake fluid, airplane de-icer among other applications and it's doing a good job there. 


In fairness, the producers of these products are not doing anything illegal. They use Propylene Glycol and other questionable substances, for three reasons.


They do the JOB 
They are CHEAP - (In most cases the cap on the bottle costs more that the ingredients inside)
They are ALLOWED!








Think About It. What would you do if you were the Big Cheese at PROPYL & GLYCOL with corporate profits to fatten? You probably wouldn't offer to do a study and you sure wouldn't change anything else without being able to justify additional costs to your stockholders. And if you think Anti-Freeze ingredients in your expensive cosmetics and personal care items is disgusting. It's just the tip of the iceberg!


How it got into our cosmetics 30 years ago is anyone's guess but it is time it was taken out of our personal care products and kept off our bodies!


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