Took a bit of internet sleuthing, but there does, indeed, appear to be an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning: fomepizole is its generic term. The drug can correct the acidosis. However, if kidney failure has commenced, dialysis, as co-therapy, will still probably be necessary. Expensive as the drug may be, it's still gotta be cheaper than a kidney transplant.quote:
Originally posted by Ross:
I am a pharmacist and there is actually an andidote for it.
From what I've seen, while the stuff has toxic effects with respect to several different organs, in higher mamals, the primary danger is destruction of the kidneys, which results in slow, lingering death as the rest of the body stews in a constantly thickening brew of unpurged toxins aggravated by off-balance electrolytes.quote:
Originally posted by Eric Peterman:
Twoo mush anteefriz wil mek yur brian tun too moosh.
No really, if you ingest a lot of ethylene glycol, it will cause brain damage and even death. Gradual (low dose over a long time) poisoning leaves one stupified, the catatonic, then... well, you get the idea.
A little in the mouth is no worry. It's ingestion of quantities of it that's bad news. So if you can read this, you're fine.
Ya, I look at it that way too, but BCBS doesn't.quote:
Originally posted by Ray H:
Took a bit of internet sleuthing, but there does, indeed, appear to be an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning: fomepizole is its generic term. The drug can correct the acidosis. However, if kidney failure has commenced, dialysis, as co-therapy, will still probably be necessary. Expensive as the drug may be, it's still gotta be cheaper than a kidney transplant.quote:
Originally posted by Ross:
I believe you're right, even though, technically, exposure risk is cumulative. The most important consideration after working with used engine oil is to thoroughly cleanse exposed skin as soon as possible afterword. Also, the carcinogenicity studies are based on animal results - and the critters commonly used are specifically chosen because of their liklihood to develop skin lesions in a worst case scenario.quote:
Originally posted by olympic:
I'm still not sure about the whole "used oil causes cancer" thing. Maybe if you worked in the stuff up to your elbows everyday. But a few minutes a couple times a year during an oil change can't be that bad.
I gues that is why they say not to swallow toothpaste, it contains propylene glycol, I just checked on the label.quote:
Originally posted by Stinky Peterson:
Propylene glycol is pretty much non-toxic but it is not intended for human consumption.