{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000038","name":"Antifreeze / engine coolant (ethylene glycol-based)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"automotive","tags":["antifreeze","coolant","ethylene glycol","automotive","poisoning hazard"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"extreme","description":"Engine coolant containing 90-95% ethylene glycol (EG) with corrosion inhibitors, dyes, and anti-foaming agents. Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts children and animals. Ingestion of as little as 100 mL can be fatal to an adult (LD50 ~1.4 mL/kg). EG is metabolized to glycolic acid and oxalic acid, causing metabolic acidosis, renal tubular necrosis, and death. Leading cause of poisoning death from automotive products. Approximately 6,000 US poison exposures annually, with ~90 deaths.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"child, dog, cat","overall_risk":"extreme","primary_concerns":["Fatal ingestion: ~100 mL lethal dose for adults; proportionally less for children and pets","Sweet taste: actively attracts children and animals","Delayed renal failure: kidney damage may not manifest for 24-72 hours post-ingestion","Chronic: skin absorption during automotive work; occupational dermal exposure"],"exposure_routes":"ingestion (primary lethal route), dermal"},"exposure":{"routes":["ingestion","dermal"],"contact_types":["oral_direct","skin_incidental"],"users":["adult","child","dog","cat"],"duration":"acute","frequency":"single_exposure","scenarios":["Child drinking brightly colored fluid left in open container","Pet licking puddle from radiator leak in garage/driveway","Intentional ingestion (self-harm)","Accidental splash during radiator service"],"notes":"Sweet taste actively attracts children and pets. Onset of symptoms in 30 min to 12 hours. 3-stage poisoning: CNS (0-12h), cardiopulmonary (12-24h), renal (24-72h)."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Open container of brightly colored fluid","meaning":"Sweet-tasting lethal poison accessible to children/pets","action":"Seal immediately; store locked; clean any spills completely"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"'Bittered' or denatonium benzoate on label","meaning":"Bittering agent reduces (but does not eliminate) accidental ingestion risk","verification":"Required by law in some US states"}],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Propylene glycol-based antifreeze","notes":"Much lower toxicity (LD50 ~20 mL/kg vs. ~1.4 mL/kg for EG); still not safe to drink but significantly less hazardous"},{"name":"Pre-diluted (50/50) coolant","notes":"Half the ethylene glycol concentration of concentrate; reduces but does not eliminate poisoning risk"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act — Bittering agent","citation":null,"requirements":"Some states (Oregon, California, etc.) require addition of denatonium benzoate bittering agent to antifreeze.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"CPSC child-resistant packaging","citation":null,"requirements":"Child-resistant closures required for consumer antifreeze products.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"CPSC","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["DANGER - Fatal if swallowed","Keep away from children and animals"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":"DANGER","pictograms":["skull_crossbones","health_hazard"],"hazard_statements":["Fatal if swallowed","Causes damage to kidneys"],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Recyclable at automotive fluid recycling centers. Never pour into drains, soil, or waterways.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"2-5_years"},"formulation":{"form":"liquid","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000026","name":"Ethylene glycol","role":"antifreeze_agent","concentration_pct":"90-95"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Diethylene glycol","role":"antifreeze_co-solvent","concentration_pct":"1-5"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Sodium 2-ethylhexanoate (corrosion inhibitor)","role":"corrosion_inhibitor","concentration_pct":"1-3"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Fluorescent dye (green/orange/pink)","role":"leak_detection","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Denatonium benzoate (bittering agent)","role":"ingestion_deterrent","concentration_pct":"0.003"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000026","compound_name":"Ethylene glycol","role":"primary_active","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["antifreeze","engine coolant","radiator fluid","coolant"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act — Bittering agent","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_9e39b782"},{"type":"regulation","title":"CPSC child-resistant packaging","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_914cb08b"},{"id":"aspca_ethylene_glycol","type":"report","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) Toxicity","year":2021,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000026"},{"id":"dial_1994","type":"journal","title":"Dial SM: Antifreeze ingestion: treatment. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 24(2):307–320","year":1994,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000026"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:24:09.279Z"}}