Ethylene glycol poisoning occurs when someone ingests ethylene glycol, a clear, colorless, and odorless liquid with a sweet flavor that can cause severe and dangerous toxicity. This substance is most commonly found in antifreeze, automotive cooling systems, and hydraulic brake fluid. In industrial environments, it is used as a solvent and in various processes.Accidental ingestion often happens with children, who may consume a lot due to its appealing taste. Additionally, alcoholics might drink it as a substitute for ethanol. Ethylene glycol itself is not highly toxic, but once inside the body, it is converted by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase into glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, and oxalic acid, which are extremely harmful.After consuming ethylene glycol, renal failure and other serious health issues can occur, leading to extensive damage to the kidneys, brain, liver, and blood vessels, which can be life-threatening.Traditionally, ethanol has been used to treat ethylene glycol poisoning because it competes with the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, preventing the formation of toxic compounds. Hemodialysis is also used to remove ethylene glycol and its harmful metabolites from the bloodstream. In 1997, a new inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, called fomepizole (marketed as Antizol), was approved for treating ethylene glycol poisoning in patients aged 12 and older. It has also been effectively used for younger children.
