Drowning and blindness: What kind of antifreeze is dangerous to pour into a car Toxicologist Kutushov warns about the toxicity of cheap antifreeze for cars 16:58

Toxicologist Mikhail Kutushov said that the driver and passengers will most quickly be poisoned by antifreeze fumes if it is made on the basis of methyl alcohol (methanol).

“The maximum permissible methanol vapor concentration (MAC) is reached fastest inside the car because this alcohol is highly volatile. Vapors of non-freezing liquid can adversely affect the health of the driver and passengers, causing headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness.“, Kutushov told socialbites.ca.

The difficult part is that the cumulative effect of methanol occurs with long-term use of such liquids. It can lead to: serious disorders in the functioning of the liver, central nervous system and blindness.

“Symptoms of poisoning usually appear within a few minutes of starting to use antifreeze containing a high concentration of toxic alcohol,” warns Kutushov.

The doctor added that it should not be forgotten that even small amounts of toxic substances can have negative effects on health, especially with constant contact.

Methanol is the most toxic of all types of alcohol used in antifreeze products.

It easily crosses the body’s barriers by entering the respiratory tract. Products containing methanol are often positioned as non-toxic, but they also contain hazardous substances: dyes, flavorings, which in most cases are synthetic and toxic (they contain allergens and can cause irritation of the respiratory tract), anti-foam additives – substances that also contain toxic elements .

Isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) is less toxic than methanol and ethyl alcohol but still not safe. It can also cause health problems if it gets on the skin or inside, Kutushov explains.

How does antifreeze allergy manifest itself?

Most winter windshield washer fluids officially produced and sold in Russia use isopropyl alcohol. It is not toxic to humans, but antifreeze products based on it can cause an allergic reaction due to flavorings and dyes, warns Deputy Chief Physician for Quality Control and Safety of Medical Activities Valentina Pigareva, a therapist at the Medsi Clinic in Krasnogorsk. .

“There is a risk of allergic reactions in people with bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, people with allergic reactions in the past, and young children,” Pigareva lists in an interview with socialbites.ca.

The first signs of an allergic reaction to fragrances and dyes when inhaled are shortness of breath (increase in the frequency of respiratory movements), in children – laryngospasm (pale skin, sweating, shortness of breath, shallow breathing, hoarseness or inability to speak, convulsive General practitioner, cough), at all ages reported bronchospasm (with cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing) as well as Quincke’s edema (in the mucosa and soft tissues of the face, neck, and mouth) in humans.

“If you suspect an allergic reaction to odors, first aid is to remove the victim from the area of ​​exposure. We need to take him out into fresh air, release his neck and chest and call an ambulance,” Pigareva concluded.

Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol

In addition to dyes and flavors, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are added in small amounts to antifreeze products made with isopropyl alcohol. Labels for such liquids indicate that the composition contains less than 5% ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is necessary to maintain the fluidity of alcohol at low temperatures. Propylene glycol prevents alcohol from evaporating from the car windshield too quickly; In this case, a thin layer of ice will form on the glass, which will negatively affect vision.

Technical ethylene glycol is a flammable substance. Toxic if inhaled, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

Propylene glycol, unlike ethylene glycol, is not hazardous if its vapors are inhaled or accidentally ingested. explained “socialbites.ca” Svetlana Ivanova is the head of the treatment department at Medsi’s Prechistenka clinic.

Rospotrebnadzor considers methanol antifreeze to be the most harmful to the health of drivers and passengers.

“Repeated long-term exposure to methanol causes dizziness, pain in the heart and liver, leads to neurasthenia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, blurred vision, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, upper respiratory tract and dermatitis,” the press service told socialbites.ca. ” . and advised to focus on its scent and label when choosing a windshield washer fluid.

The Department requires that a state registration certificate be issued for windshield washer fluid; He stated that this document was kept by the seller and given to antifreeze manufacturers with each batch sold.

Antifreeze using isopropanol, which is legal in Russia, can also worsen the driver’s condition and cause distraction warned Svetlana Ivanova from Medsi when traveling long distances.

“Prolonged exposure to vapors in a closed area can cause headaches, nausea, sore eyes and cough,” he told socialbites.ca.

Methanol cleans better

Methanol windshield washer fluid was banned in Russia about 20 years ago due to ingestion instead of alcohol, but due to its properties, methyl alcohol is best suited as an anti-freeze, as it does not thicken even at a temperature of -30 ° C. °C is sure, an expert from Za Rulem magazine, Mikhail Kolodochkin.

“The use of methanol has always been permitted in cold countries such as Scandinavia and Canada. Nobody thinks of drinking there. “Our drivers are forced to buy methanol antifreeze, which is sold illegally on the roadside, from people who are not responsible for anything,” he said. in question Kolodochkin “socialbites.ca.

In his opinion, isopropanol-based liquid is the worst choice for a car washer because this alcohol has an unpleasant odor and its viscosity increases at temperatures below -20 ° C, which does not allow it to be effectively sprayed on the surface of the glass. .

The National Automobile Association (NAU) has consistently advocated for the legalization of methanol-based antifreeze products, citing worldwide practices and the affordability of methanol.

“In 2024, a five-liter windshield washer fluid containing methanol with a freezing point of -30 ° C will cost no more than 150 rubles, which is seven times cheaper than an isopropyl windshield washer” – noted In a letter sent from the United States to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in October 2024.

The production of such windshield washer fluid should only be possible if the methanol is denatured. Changing the color or smell of alcohol or adding vomiting additives to protect people– Use of special additives specified in the USA that physically prevent you from drinking.