Any Chemists or Chemistry boffins onboard?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

A pondering question or two on ethylene glycol . . . and its variants . . .

[Frodo-anni]

My friend is a Dr of Chemistry and all things boffing, she is right brain box. Seeing her friday night, what question is to be asked?

[damoegan]

I work with 3 chemists and can ask tomorrow for you 

[Hurdy]

Welcome back Sean, what do you want to know?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

What is the difference between 'mono-ethylene glycol' (MEG) and 'poly-ethylene glycol' (PEG)?  Specifically, why can one kill you, and not the other - when they seem to be very similar compounds?

Thanks in advance. 

[Hurdy]

Mono ethylene glycol breaks down with the acid in the body to produce a toxic acid called oxalic acid which affects the Heart and kidneys. Poly ethylene glycol is as it says - a polymer and doesn't react in the same way and so doesn't produce the oxalic acid. Instead it actually helps remove certain proteins in the body under medical applications. I can't remember the full reaction as it was an awful long time ago!

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Mono ethylene glycol breaks down with the acid in the body to produce a toxic acid called oxalic acid which affects the Heart and kidneys.

Ahhh - that's why anti-freeze is particularly fatal for cats.  How much is bad in humans?

Poly ethylene glycol is as it says - a polymer and doesn't react in the same way and so doesn't produce the oxalic acid. Instead it actually helps remove certain proteins in the body under medical applications. I can't remember the full reaction as it was an awful long time ago!

Its used as a laxative (Movicol, Laxido, etc).  It seems to draw water into the bowel.  When used in excess, it turns your poo the same consistency as Mr Whippy ice cream . . . . me thinks thats what they used in the 'Two Girls, One Cup' video!    PEG can have some nasty side effects though - which arn't pleasant for anyone else in the vicinity! 

They both produce the same visual reaction when mixed with H2O - very similar to alcohols . . . .

[Hurdy]

Should I be answering questions about "bad amount for humans" on an open forum?

Let's just say don't drink a glass of it!

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Has anyone else found any further info?

[Hurdy]

Has anyone else found any further info?

There's a few bits on Wikipedia. Tells you a little more.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Has anyone else found any further info?

There's a few bits on Wikipedia. Tells you a little more.

Ahhhh . . . that fountain of heavily censored bias! 

Just don't get me started on their Tramadol article! 

I was trying to get info from peeps who actually work in the industry, rather than being bombarded by the bulsh!t which afflicts wikipedia.

Anyway, I take it say a mouthfull of dilute MEG wont do any permanent damage to moi? 

[stealthwolf]

MEG is a neddy no-no. Toxic in low quantities - more than  0.1 g/kg (0.09 mL/kg) means urgent hospital admission.

PEG sounds like it should be okay.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

MEG is a neddy no-no. Toxic in low quantities - more than  0.1 g/kg (0.09 mL/kg) means urgent hospital admission.

Well, it was about 9 months ago . . . and I'm still alive . . . I think! 

I was just wondering . . . probably about say 10ml of neat MEG . . . I'm what, 80kg (?? 13st).  Any lasting symptoms I need to worry about?

PEG sounds like it should be okay.

PEG is Movicol - so I hope its okay! 

It does give me EVIL f@rts though - I think my botty needs an ASBO! 

[stealthwolf]

At 80kg, 7.2ml is the point at which you should seek medical attention.

I know you're not gonna go do anything stupid but I still feel I should openly state that taking MEG is harmful and potentially dangerous. It can royally mess up your kidneys, leading to disordered blood chemistry and hence death.

[JackG]

  I have no idea what your talking about but it sounds good