Background

After completing this course, you will be able to

• Describe the latest science on EGPG exposure in both environmental and occupational settings.
• Discuss potential adverse clinical effects associated with EGPG exposure.
• Describe how to clinically manage patients exposed to EGPG.
• Describe how to improve collaborative practice across the healthcare team regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients exposed to EGPG.

• Ethylene glycol ingestion first affects the central nervous system (CNS). After a characteristic latent period, toxic metabolites might produce signs of inebriation followed by serious illness and even death.
• No studies were located regarding a link between ethylene glycol exposure and cancer or reproductive or developmental hazards in humans.
• Propylene glycol is much less toxic than ethylene glycol.

The goals of the CSEM series are to

• increase the primary care provider’s knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and
• help clinicians evaluate and treat potentially exposed patients.

See other CSEM’s here.

We gratefully acknowledge the work of the medical writers, editors, and reviewers in producing this educational resource. Listed below are the contributors to this version of the Case Study in Environmental Medicine.

Please Note: Each content expert for this case study has indicated that there is no conflict of interest to disclose that would bias the case study content.

ATSDR Authors: Dianyi Yu, MD

ATSDR Planners: Charlton Coles, PhD; Sharon L. Hall, PhD; Julia Smith, MPH, CHES

Peer Reviewers: Obaid Faroon, DVM, PhD, and Ki Moon Bang, PhD, MPH

ATSDR Commenters: Alaina Steck, MD