Table of Contents
WHAT HAPPENED?
- Eleven US soldiers fell sick on Thursday after accidentally drinking ethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze.
WHEN AND WHERE?
- The soldiers from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas were completing a 10-day field training exercise when the incident occurred.
- The soldiers who consumed it thought that they were drinking an alcoholic beverage as per reports.
- The matter is now under investigation by the US Army Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as the CID.
WHAT IS ANTIFREEZE?
- 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.
CDC ON ANTIFREEZE
- According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ethylene glycol has a sweet taste and is often accidentally or intentionally ingested.
- Once ingested, ethylene glycol is chemically broken down into toxic compounds.
CDC ON ANTIFREEZE
- These byproducts then affect the central nervous system (CNS), the heart and then the kidneys. CDC says that the ingestion of sufficient amounts can be fatal.
CDC ON ANTIFREEZE
- Ethylene glycol can be disseminated through indoor air, water, food, outdoor air and agricultural products.
- As per a case report of a 35-year-old man that presented with antifreeze poisoning, the patient mainly presented with nausea and agitation and did not lose consciousness.
CDC ON ANTIFREEZE
- However, laboratory investigations suggested
- severe metabolic acidosis (a condition in which too much acid accumulates in the body),
- renal dysfunction and
- hyperkalemia (when the levels of potassium in the body are higher than normal).
CAN BE FATAL
- Even so, depending on the quantity of ethylene glycol consumed,
- death can occur within the first 24 hours
- or permanent damage to the nervous system may also occur,
- which can cause blindness and decreased mental functioning.
HOW TO TREAT?
- An antidote is the first line of treatment for antifreeze poisoning. These include either fomepizole (Antizol) or ethanol.
- Both drugs can reverse the effects of the poison and prevent further problems, such as permanent organ damage.
- In the case of poor kidney function, your treatment may also consist of dialysis.
PREVENTION TIPS
- Don’t pour antifreeze into water bottles or other containers. Keep the chemical in its original container.
- If you spill antifreeze while working on your car, clean up the spill and spray down the area with water. This can prevent pets from drinking the fluid.
- Always put the cap back on antifreeze containers. Keep the chemical out of reach of children and pets.
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