AntiFreeze|AntiBoil:
A concentrated or pre-diluted solution containing substances/chemicals generally used in car radiators as a heat transfer fluid to prevent freezing in
cold conditions and to prevent boiling over as the engine heats up after it'
s started.
Antifreeze generally contains a substance called "Ethylene Glycol" (also known as Ethane-1,2-Diol), which is a superior antifreeze when mixed with water compared to Glycerine/Glycerol or Methanol.
Ethylene Glycol has a
sweet taste, making it
attractive to animals;
young children; or uneducated
people.. but it is toxic if ingested (swallowed) due to the
way it'
s metabolised:
Ethylene Glycol itself is more or less non-toxic, but when ingested it slowly but steadily gets metabolised to toxic
organic acids that can cause illness, damage the kidneys leading to renal failure and can be fatal.
Bittering agents are added to antifreeze nowadays, so it no longer tastes
sweet, but it tastes bitter instead.. however it is still poisonous if swallowed, so always keep antifreeze out of reach of children and away from pets.
If someone has ingested Antifreeze, take them to the hospital BEFORE symptoms occur as the Glycol itself may cause drunkenness but isn't really toxic at all until it gets metabolised; meaning that if the victim gets immediate treatment, the medications used in the hospital will
stop the body from processing the antifreeze to its toxic metabolites, and it will eventually be harmlessly urinated out.
