PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT PROPYLENE GLYCOL 

 CAS#: 57-55-6 

 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 1997 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

This Public Health Statement is the summary 

chapter from the Toxicological Profile for 

Propylene Glycol. It is one in a series of Public 

Health Statements about hazardous substances and 

their health effects. A shorter version, the 

ToxFAQsTM is also available. This information is 

important because this substance may harm you. 

The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance 

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are 

exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether 

other chemicals are present. For more information, 

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-

4636. 

_____________________________________ 

This statement was prepared to give you 

information about propylene glycol and to 

emphasize the human health effects that may result 

from exposure to it. The Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) has identified 1,416 hazardous waste 

sites as the most serious in the nation. These sites 

make up the National Priorities List (NPL) and are 

the sites targeted for long-term federal clean-up 

activities. Propylene glycol has been identified in at 

least 5 of the 1,416 NPL sites. 

When a chemical is released from a large source, 

such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such 

as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment as a 

chemical emission. This emission, which is also 

called a release, does not always lead to exposure. 

You can be exposed to a chemical only when you 

come into contact with the chemical. You may be 

exposed to it in the environment by breathing, 

eating, or drinking substances containing the 

chemical or from skin contact with it. 

If you are exposed to a hazardous chemical such as 

ethylene glycol, several factors will determine 

whether harmful health effects will occur and what 

the type and severity of those health effects will be. 

These factors include the dose (how much), the 

duration (how long), the route or pathway by which 

you are exposed (breathing, eating, drinking, or skin 

contact), the other chemicals to which you are 

exposed, and your individual characteristics such as 

age, sex, nutritional status, family traits, lifestyle, 

and state of health. 

1.1 WHAT IS PROPYLENE GLYCOL? 

Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that 

absorbs water. Propylene glycol is also used to 

make polyester compounds, and as a base for deicing solutions. Propylene glycol is used by the 

chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an 

antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with 

food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is 

“generally recognized as safe” for use in food. It is 

used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in 

certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is 

a solvent for food colors and flavors, and in the 

paint and plastics industries. Propylene glycol is 

also used to create artificial smoke or fog used in 

fire-fighting training and in theatrical productions. 

Other names for propylene glycol are 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, 

and trimethyl glycol. 

Propylene glycol is clear, colorless, slightly syrupy 

liquid at room temperature. It may exist in air in the 

vapor form, although propylene glycol must be 

heated or briskly shaken to produce a vapor. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT PROPYLENE GLYCOL 

 CAS#: 57-55-6 

 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 1997 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Propylene glycol is practically odorless and 

tasteless. 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO PROPYLENE 

GLYCOL WHEN IT ENTERS THE 

ENVIRONMENT 

Waste streams from the manufacture of propylene 

glycol are primarily responsible for the releases into 

the air, water, and soil. Propylene glycol can enter 

the environment when it is used as a runway and 

aircraft de-icing agent. Propylene glycol can also 

enter the environment through the disposal of 

products that contains it. It is not likely to exist in 

large amounts in the air. We have little information 

about what happens to propylene glycol in the air. 

The small amounts that may enter the air are likely 

to break down quickly. If it escapes into the air, it 

will take between 24 and 50 hours for half the 

amount released to break down. Propylene glycol 

can mix completely with water and can soak into 

soil. It can break down relatively quickly (within 

several days to a week) in surface water and in soil. 

Propylene glycol can also travel from certain types 

of food packages into the food in the package. 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO 

PROPYLENE GLYCOL? 

Propylene glycol has been approved for use at 

certain levels in food, cosmetics, and 

pharmaceutical products. If you eat food products, 

use cosmetics, or take medicines that contain it, you 

will be exposed to propylene glycol, but these 

amounts are not generally considered harmful. 

People who work in industries that use propylene 

glycol may be exposed by touching these products 

or inhaling mists from spraying them. These 

exposures tend to be at low levels, however. 

Propylene glycol is used to make artificial smoke 

and mists for fire safety training, theatrical 

performances, and rock concerts. These artificial 

smoke products may also be used by private 

citizens. These products are frequently used in 

enclosed spaces, where exposure may be more 

intense. 

1.4 HOW CAN PROPYLENE GLYCOL 

ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY? 

Propylene glycol can enter your bloodstream if you 

breathe air containing mists or vapors from this 

compound. It can also enter your bloodstream 

through your skin if you come in direct contact with 

it and do not wash it off. If you eat products that 

contain propylene glycol, it may enter your 

bloodstream. Exposure of the general population to 

propylene glycol is likely since many foods, drugs, 

and cosmetics contain it. 

Propylene glycol breaks down in the body in about 

48 hours. However, studies of people and animals 

show that if you have repeated eye, skin, nasal, or 

oral exposures to propylene glycol for a short time, 

you may develop some irritation. 

1.5 HOW CAN PROPYLENE GLYCOL 

AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

Propylene glycol breaks down at the same rate as 

ethylene glycol, although it does not form harmful 

crystals when it breaks down. Frequent skin 

exposure to propylene glycol can sometimes irritate 

the skin. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT PROPYLENE GLYCOL 

 CAS#: 57-55-6 

 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 1997 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.6 ARE THERE MEDICAL TESTS TO 

DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN 

EXPOSED TO PROPYLENE GLYCOL? 

Propylene glycol is generally considered to be a 

safe chemical, and is not routinely tested for, unless 

specific exposure, such as to a medicine or 

cosmetic, can be linked with the observed bad 

symptoms. Since propylene glycol breaks down 

very quickly in the body, it is very difficult to 

detect. 

1.7 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS 

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE 

TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The government has developed regulations and 

guidelines for propylene glycol. These are designed 

to protect the public from potential adverse health 

effects. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has 

classified propylene glycol as “generally recognized 

as safe,” which means that it is acceptable for use in 

flavorings, drugs, and cosmetics, and as a direct 

food additive. According to the World Health 

Organization, the acceptable dietary intake of 

propylene glycol is 25 mg of propylene glycol for 

every kilogram (kg) of body weight. 

1.8 WHERE CAN I GET MORE 

INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please 

contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, or contact 

ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of 

occupational and environmental health clinics. 

These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, 

and treating illnesses that result from exposure to 

hazardous substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM

CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information 

and technical assistance number at 1-800-

CDCINFO (1-800-232-4636), by e mail at 

cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by writing to: 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental 

Medicine 

1600 Clifton Road NE 

Mailstop F-32 

Atlanta, GA 30333 

Fax: 1-770-488-4178 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final 

Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000 

Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/ 

Reference 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological profile for 

propylene glycol. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.