Bittering agents: their potential application in reducing ingestions of engine coolants and windshield wash.
Ethylene glycol automobile engine coolants and methanol-based windshield washer liquids are toxic. Despite international attempts to improve the safety of these products through better labelling and packaging, accidental and intentional ingestions continue a source of poisonings worldwide. The rejection of bitter tasting substances forms part of the human defense against ingestion of harmful substances. Denatonium benzoate (DB) is currently recognised as a means to prevent ingestion of ethyl alcohol intended for industrial use. This study investigated the use of this bitter substance also as a deterrent against ingesting ethylene glycol and methanol. The palatability of ethylene glycol and methanol with and without the addition of DB was assessed using a human taste panel; 30 ppm DB rendered each product intolerable to the panel. The addition of DB to ethylene glycol engine coolants and methanol-based windshield washer liquids at low concentrations could afford protection against accidental ingestions.
Macfarlan Smith Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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Jackson
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Payne
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001336:Automobiles; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D019855:Ethylene Glycol; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D013649:Taste
D019855:Ethylene Glycol; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D000432:Methanol; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C043414:denatonium