Is PG Safe???

[drzen99]

Read this and give your feedback....just read this and now am wondering about PG?????
What is Propylene Glycol?


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’s 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"
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 – how? 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’s 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 skins 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’re CHEAP - (In most cases the cap on the bottle costs more that the ingredients inside)
They’re 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's time it was taken out of our personal care products and kept off our bodies.!"
Testimonial: 7-5-04 - "Thank you for the information. I just wanted to share an experience with you. I started having problems with getting rashes on various parts of my body. I went to the dermatologist and he did a "Patch Test" in which he taped 45 different substances commonly found in everyday products that people's skin may come into contact with to see if I'd react to any. Well, the one containing propylene glycol blistered. How could manufacturers put that harmful ingredient into shampoos, soaps, body washes, laundry detergent, lotions, etc. I can't believe it. I went to an organic store and bought all new stuff. Just wanted to share" Katie

[HalfWayCrook]

ALSO USED IN,
Cake mixes, salad dressings, soft drinks, popcorn, food colorings, fat-free ice cream and sour cream. It also protects food from freezing and helps as a preservative.
In toiletries and cosmetics – Lotions, creams, some baby wipes (though not in the brand I have in my cabinet), shampoos, antiperspirants, cosmetics, lipstick, lubricants
In other household items – Room deodorizers, cleaners, sanitizers and yes, new "non-toxic" and "safe" automotive antifreezes
And specific to the soap making and toiletry making industry, it is also used as a carrier in fragrance oils and in many melt and pour soap bases.
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of controversy about propylene glycol. Many people immediately associate it with diethylene glycol (DEG), a common (and admittedly dangerous) ingredient in automotive antifreeze, and assign guilt by association. Others refer to MSDS tests where PG was tested in 100% concentrations. Even sand and salt have ominous sounding MSDS cautions at 100%.

you injest this shit on a regular basis. dont fall into the hype.




-HWC-

[Brad-JuicyVapor.com]

Do not forget that it is used in many pharmacuticals...

Here is what wiki shows for it:

Chirality
Propylene glycol contains an asymmetrical carbon atom, so it exists in two stereoisomers. The commercial product is a racemic mixture. Pure optical isomers can be obtained by hydration of optically pure propylene oxide.[2]

[edit] Production
Industrially propylene glycol is produced by propylene oxide .[3] Different manufacturers use either non-catalytic high-temperature process at 200 °C (392 °F) to 220 °C (428 °F), or a catalytic method, which proceeds at 150 °C (302 °F) to 180 °C (356 °F) in the presence of ion exchange resin or a small amount of sulfuric acid or alkali.

Final products contain 20% 1,2-propanediol, 1.5% of dipropylene glycol and small amounts of other polypropylene glycols.[4] Propylene glycol can also be converted from glycerol, a biodiesel byproduct.

[edit] Applications
Propylene glycol is used:

As a solvent in many pharmaceuticals, including oral, injectable and topical formulations. Notably, diazepam, which is insoluble in water, uses propylene glycol as its solvent in its clinical, injectable form.[5]
As a humectant food additive, labeled as E number E1520
As an emulsification agent in Angostura and orange bitters
As a moisturizer in medicines, cosmetics, food, toothpaste, mouth wash, and tobacco products
As a carrier in fragrance oils
As an ingredient in massage oils
In hand sanitizers, antibacterial lotions, and saline solutions
In smoke machines to make artificial smoke for use in firefighters' training and theatrical productions
In electronic cigarettes, it is used to deliver vaporized nicotine
As a solvent for food colors and flavorings
As an ingredient, along with wax and gelatin, in the production of paintballs
As a moisture stabilizer (humectant) for snus (Swedish style snuff).
As a cooling agent for beer and wine glycol jacketed fermentation tanks
As a less-toxic antifreeze
As a solvent used in mixing photographic chemicals, such as film developers
In cryonics
As a working fluid in hydraulic presses
As a coolant in liquid cooling systems
To regulate humidity in a cigar humidor
As the killing and preserving agent in pitfall traps, usually used to capture ground beetles
As an additive to pipe tobacco to prevent dehydration.
To treat livestock ketosis
As the main ingredient in deodorant sticks.
To de-ice aircraft.[6]
As an ingredient in UV or blacklite tattoo ink
Propylene glycol has properties similar to those of ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol, or MEG). (Note: Infrequently propylene glycol may also use the acronym MEG, but as an abbreviation of methyl ethyl glycol- the industry standard acronym for propylene glycol is PG or MPG (monopropylene glycol). The industrial norm is to replace ethylene glycol with propylene glycol when safer properties are desired.

[edit] Properties
Propylene glycol is a component in newer automotive antifreezes and de-icers used at airports. Like ethylene glycol, the freezing point of propylene glycol is depressed when mixed with water due to disruption of hydrogen bonding. Unlike ethylene glycol, propylene glycol is much lower in toxicity. Both are readily biodegradable.

Freezing Points of Propylene Glycol - Water Mixtures Percent Propylene Glycol (wt. %) Freezing Point (°F) Freezing Point (°C)
0 32 0
10 26 -3
20 20 -7
30 10 -12
36 0 -18
40 -5 -20
43 -10 -23
48 -20 -29
52 -30 -34
55 -40 -40
58 -50 -46
60 -60 -51

[edit] Safety
[edit] Potential health effects
This section appears to contradict itself. Please help fix this problem. (November 2009)

Eye
Causes mild eye irritation. Contact may cause irritation, tearing, and burning pain.
Skin
Causes moderate skin irritation. Contact with the skin may cause erythema, dryness, and defatting.
Ingestion
May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Low hazard for usual industrial handling. May cause hemoglobinuric nephrosis. May cause changes in surface EEG.
Inhalation
Low hazard for usual industrial handling. May cause respiratory tract irritation.
Chronic
May cause reproductive and fetal effects. Laboratory experiments have resulted in mutagenic effects. Exposure to large doses, especially in combination with alcohol or MDMA may cause central nervous system depression. Chronic ingestion may cause lactic acidosis and possible seizures.
The oral toxicity of propylene glycol is very low, and large quantities are required to incur the dangerous effects described above. The potential for long-term toxicity is also low. In one study, rats were provided with feed containing as much as 5% PG over a period of 104 weeks and they showed no apparent ill effects.[7] Because of its low chronic oral toxicity, propylene glycol is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use as a direct food additive. Cases of propylene glycol poisoning are related to either inappropriate intravenous use or accidental ingestion of large quantities by children.[8]

Serious toxicity will occur only at plasma concentrations over 4g/L, which requires extremely high intake over a relatively short period of time.[9] It would be nearly impossible to reach toxic levels by consuming foods or supplements, which contain at most 1g/kg of PG. Propylene glycol is metabolized into pyruvic acid, which is a normal part of the glucose metabolism process and is readily converted to energy.

Veterinary data indicates that propylene glycol is toxic to 50% of dogs at doses of 9mL/kg, although the figure is higher for most laboratory animals (LD50 at levels of 20mL/kg).[10] However, it may be toxic to cats in ways not seen in other animals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that propylene glycol in or on cat food has not been shown by adequate scientific data to be safe for use. If propylene glycol is used in or on cat food, the food is considered adulterated and in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.[11]

Prolonged contact with propylene glycol is essentially non-irritating to the skin. Undiluted propylene glycol is minimally irritating to the eye, and can produce slight transient conjunctivitis (the eye recovers after the exposure is removed). Exposure to mists may cause eye irritation, as well as upper respiratory tract irritation. Inhalation of the propylene glycol vapors appears to present no significant hazard in ordinary applications. However, limited human experience indicates that inhalation of propylene glycol mists could be irritating to some individuals. Therefore inhalation exposure to mists of these materials should be avoided. Some research has suggested that propylene glycol not be used in applications where inhalation exposure or human eye contact with the spray mists of these materials is likely, such as fogs for theatrical productions or antifreeze solutions for emergency eye wash stations.[12]

Propylene glycol does not cause sensitization and it shows no evidence of being a carcinogen or of being genotoxic.[13][14]

There is limited evidence that intravenous injection of PG can cause adverse responses in a small number of people. A Clinical Journal of Medicine article describes two cases of adult men experiencing psychosis from use of injected phenytoin that contained PG as a solvent. Their symptoms resolved when they were switched to a phenytoin formulation without PG.[citation needed]

[edit] Allergic reaction
Research has suggested that individuals who cannot tolerate propylene glycol probably experience a special form of irritation, but that they only rarely develop allergic contact dermatitis. Other investigators believe that the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis to propylene glycol may be greater than 2% in patients with eczema.[15]

Patients with vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis may be especially sensitive to propylene glycol. Women struggling with yeast infections may also notice that some OTC creams can cause intense burning.[16] Post menopausal women who require the use of an estrogen cream may notice that brand name creams made with propylene glycol often create extreme, uncomfortable burning along the vulva and perianal area. In these cases, patients can request that a local compounding pharmacy make a "propylene glycol free" cream.

[edit] Possible air germicide
Studies conducted in 1942 by Dr. Oswald Hope Robertson of University of Chicago's Billings Hospital showed vaporized propylene glycol inhalation in laboratory mice may prevent pneumonia, influenza, and other respiratory diseases. Additional studies in monkeys and other animals were undertaken to determine longterm effects, especially the potential for accumulation in the lungs. After a few months of treatment, no ill effects were discovered.[17]

This was lifted from Propylene glycol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[jvapor]

IMO PG is safe. It is proven to process in the body as glucose. My largest concern might be for a diabetic. Other than that there are not any real concerns I have. OSHA has done several tests on inhalation of PG and they all reported no notable risks. The test results are available to the public at OSHA.gov . I do understand some people are sensitive to PG but they do have an alternative. I do not feel it is anymore dangerous than any other food or beverage we ingest. In fact many of the food products we consume have PG in them.

[drzen99]

I was looking for a source when I ran onto the above article.I did consider it was hyped by a company selling
products that were PG and EG free,but thought I`d ask the Forum.I know you all have done a lot more research than I have,so I askled it here first.Dawn emailed me that I can purchase PG on her site,so will with my next order. Thanks agin for the feedback...that`s why I come here. ~ dale drzen99

[sbphotog]

it is also found in asthma inhalers and IV medications.

[Leeshor]

There has been evidence by scientific studies in the past that PG can actually be healthful and may prevent colds. It has been used in "medical" vaporizers for a long time.

[Evapers]

My 2 cents is anyone argument that has to play the "anti-freeze" card has no merit.

Using their logic, because sugar is in anti-freeze it should be bad. When someone's logic is that clearly flawed, and flawed about things I fully understand, I stop reading.

[markarich159]

As a pharmacist, I can say that , as long as your utilizing USP grade PG product, it is, most likely, perfectly safe to inhale. Even FCC food grade is GRAS(generally reconized as safe by the FDA) for food use. Propylene Glycol, USP(pharmaceutical grade) is used in a myriad of pharmaceutical preparations including(as mentioned before) inhalers and nebulizer solutions for inhalation. Although there are no current studies(accepted by the FDA) recognizing PG, USP as safe for inhalation at the concentrations present in vaping, the amount of PG actually inhaled is far below the toxic level for humans. The pulmonary tissue quickly absorbs vaped PG through the alveolar epithelium into the systemic circulation(and at a much lower level then is recognized as harmful). The PG is either excreted unchanged by the Kidneys in urine(20-25% of the dose) the rest enters a metabolic pathway and is converted to Pyruvic acid which then becomes either lactic acid or H2O and CO2 and excreted by your kidneys or lungs.

[Smokie]

As a pharmacist, I can say that , as long as your utilizing USP grade PG product, it is, most likely, perfectly safe to inhale. Even FCC food grade is GRAS(generally reconized as safe by the FDA) for food use. Propylene Glycol, USP(pharmaceutical grade) is used in a myriad of pharmaceutical preparations including(as mentioned before) inhalers and nebulizer solutions for inhalation. Although there are no current studies(accepted by the FDA) recognizing PG, USP as safe for inhalation at the concentrations present in vaping, the amount of PG actually inhaled is far below the toxic level for humans. The pulmonary tissue quickly absorbs vaped PG through the alveolar epithelium into the systemic circulation(and at a much lower level then is recognized as harmful). The PG is either excreted unchanged by the Kidneys in urine(20-25% of the dose) the rest enters a metabolic pathway and is converted to Pyruvic acid which then becomes either lactic acid or H2O and CO2 and excreted by your kidneys or lungs.

That is great news, I have never hard of anyone being sick, or getting cancer from PG, infact I heard the opposite, people warding off colds using PG