Propylene+Glycol

Propylene glycol, also called 1,2-propanediol or propane-1,2-diol, is an organic compound (a diol or double alcohol) with formula C 3 H 8 O 2 or HO-CH 2 -CHOH-CH 3. It is a colorless, nearly odorless, clear, viscous liquid with a faintly sweet taste, hygroscopic and miscible with water, acetone, and chloroform.

Propylene glycol is an organic compound, sometimes referred to as a-propylene glycol to distinguish it from similar substances.

The compound is sometimes called α-propylene glycol to distinguish it from the isomer propane-1,3-diol HO-(CH 2 ) 3 -OH, also called β-propylene glycol.

Used in common things such as: industrial antifreeze, deodorant, shampoos, and shaving gels.

= Production =

Simple process
In the traditional [|production process] propylene glycol is made from propylene oxide reacted with water.

The resulting mixture of mono-, di- and tri-glycols is distilled to purify the different grades before being stored and distributed to customers.

Propylene glycol is typically produced in two grades: technical or industrial grade, and USP/EP grade. The latter designates the requirements for the US Pharmacopiea and the European Pharmacopoeia, but this grade is also the grade for use in food, feed and personal care applications.

The production of propylene glycol USP/EP is seamlessly monitored and controlled through a track-and-trace system from the base material throughout the production process up to the point of delivery. The high product quality

standards, and compliance with stringent hygiene conditions, qualifies propylene glycol USP/EP (pharmaceutical grade) for use in health-sensitive applications.

**Propylene glycol is Commonly found in:**


 * makeup
 * shampoo
 * deodorant
 * detangler
 * styling mousse
 * cleansing cream
 * mascara
 * soap
 * skin cream
 * bubble bath
 * baby powder
 * conditioner
 * toner
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">after shave
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">baby wipes

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Also in:


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Tyre sealant
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Rubber cleaner
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">De-icer
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Stain removers
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Fabric softener
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Degreaser
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Paint
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Adhesive
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wallpaper stripper



Humans
The acute oral toxicity of propylene glycol is very low, and large quantities are required to cause perceptible health damage in humans; propylene glycol is metabolized in the human body into pyruvic acid (a normal part of the glucose-metabolism process, readily converted to energy), acetic acid (handled by ethanol-metabolism), lactic acid (a normal acid generally abundant during digestion), and propionaldehyde (a highly toxic substance). Serious toxicity generally occurs only at plasma concentrations over 1 g/L, which requires extremely high intake over a relatively short period of time. It would be nearly impossible to reach toxic levels by consuming foods or supplements, which contain at most 1 g/kg of PG. Cases of propylene glycol poisoning are usually related to either inappropriate intravenous administration or accidental ingestion of large quantities by children The potential for long-term oral toxicity is also low. In one study, rats were provided with feed containing as much as 5% PG in feed over a period of 104 weeks and they showed no apparent ill effects. Because of its low chronic oral toxicity, propylene glycol was classified by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for use as a direct food additive.