- Ethylene glycol, a primary chemical in engine coolant and antifreeze, was invented by a French scientist in the mid-1800s. At the time, it was a specialty product reserved mostly for military vehicles and airplanes. It wasn't until the early 1900s that ethylene glycol began to be used more commonly among consumers. Since then, engine coolant has become ubiquitous in consumer vehicles and is used in routine car maintenance.
- Engine coolant is used in all vehicles based on internal combustion engines, which includes most consumer- and industrial-level cars and trucks. Engine coolant helps moderate and disburse high engine temperatures and is essential to prevent overheating the engine. Engine coolant is also usually paired with antifreeze properties. These work in a reverse manner and prevent the engine fluids from freezing.
- Engine coolant can be divided into three chemical types: Methanol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Of these, only the latter is nontoxic; the former two are highly poisonous. Methanol is also used as a chemical in various types of vehicle fuel. Ethylene glycol can withstand the highest engine temperatures. Finally, propylene glycol is used as a coolant and antifreeze in home systems where highly toxic substances are undesirable.
- Engine coolant can be especially dangerous because its chemical properties make it taste sweet, thus attracting young children and pets. Ingestion of engine coolant can cause a rapid and painful death. If ingested, the victim needs intravenous medical treatment to counteract the poisonous toxins. Proactive preventive measures should be taken to ensure this doesn't happen, such as storing all engine coolant on high shelves out of the reach of children and household pets.
- Proper car maintenance requires frequent checking of your car's engine coolant reservoir. Only check and replace engine coolant when your vehicle's engine is completely cool. Open the hood and check the engine coolant reservoir, which is usually in an almost opaque tank marked "Engine Coolant." Fluid level indicators will be marked on the outside of the tank. Top off your engine coolant fluid when the level of liquid dips below the "Cold" level marked on the tank. Also, check that your engine coolant is clear of debris and not brown. Brown engine coolant points to an internal engine problem.
