By: Janette N. Grant, United Nations Development Corporation

Experts advise that antifreeze should not be used, as it offers NO cooling capabilities. They wonder who came up with the word "coolant.". It only aids in preventing water from freezing. It raises the freezing and lowers the boiling points of water. How can it cools then? What it does offer, however, is lubrication for the cooling system like the water pump.

There have been concerted efforts in the United States to ban anti-freeze. Environmentally conscious companies are now manufacturing safer types of anti-freeze. They argue that since, now, alternatives are found, anti-freeze must be immediately banned.

The proponents of this campaign argue that U.S. cars generate over 60 million gallons of used antifreeze each year. Most antifreeze contains the POISONOUS chemicals "Ethylene Glycol" and "Ethylenediamine". Like motor oil, used antifreeze also collects hazardous contaminants from the engine during operation including a variety of elements such as gasoline, copper, zinc, and lead. These materials become trapped in and contaminate the antifreeze over time in an operating vehicle, especially because of the high heat.

Concerns that make Antifreeze more than simply a car additive is its sweet smell and taste which attract children and pets. It can cause injury or death through ingestion, inhalation or even through skin absorption. If swallowed, Ethylene Glycol may cause depression, followed by respiratory and cardiac failure, renal and brain damage, as well as possible blindness. Its active ingredient, Ethylene Glycol, can cause massive kidney damage and death if ingested. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 1986 and 1988 more than 3,000 injuries involving antifreeze occurred. In 1991 alone, over 3,000 people were treated for antifreeze poisoning, and eight died.

Ethylenediamine, which is used in antifreeze solutions, is a flammable and corrosive colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. It is also used as a solvent and stabilizer for rubber latex. Breathing ethylenediamine can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, and contact can irritate and blister the skin, leading to recurrent skin allergy. High exposure may cause liver, kidney and lung damage, and mild effects include lung allergy. It is included in the highly toxic and seriously most hazardous materials list Health Hazards of Selected Extremely Hazardous Substances (as defined by the EPA under the Clean Air Act Section 112(r)

Disposal of used Ethylene Glycol has included treating it as a hazardous waste. Discharging it into municipal sewer systems, or illegally pouring it into dry wells and storm drains is considered as a criminal offense. Dumping it onto the ground reduces soil productivity, contaminates groundwater, and can poison fish and other wildlife. Antifreeze, carelessly disposed of, such as dumped down housedhold drains, poured into a storm drain or ditch, into a river or stream, onto the ground, or into the regular trash, presents a health threat to humans, animals, and the environment. The hazardous chemicals may also seep into the ground and contaminate the groundwater and seriously damage to the environment. That is why special units and agencies in the United States handle its disposal

Due to new and more stringent federal and state regulations for environmental protection and the districts requirements for industrial pollutants entering the wastewater treatment plant, the following procedures that were established by the Integrated Waste Management Board must be strictly adhered to for the draining and flushing of radiators. It prohibits Commercial and Industrial Dischargers who drain radiators antifreeze from discharging it into the sanitary sewer system. Instead, the fluid drained from a radiator shall be captured then recycled or disposed of by a certified waste hauler. Individual residents are encouraged not to drain and flush their radiators at home. Residents who drain their own vehicle radiators should find a disposal location that will accept the drained fluid for recycling. They should not discharge any of these wastes to the storm (street) drain system or allow these wastes to drain into street gutters, storm drains, drainage ways, or creeks.

For further information, consult Environmental Medicine: Integrating a Missing Element into Medical Education (1995), Institute of Medicine.

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