What Happens in Ethylene Glycol Poisoning?
ATSDR describes ethylene glycol as a synthetic liquid that absorbs water, is odorless and has a sweet taste, used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes and boats. It says swallowing larger amounts can cause serious illness or death, and that when ethylene glycol breaks down in the body it forms chemicals that crystallize, with the crystals able to collect in the kidneys and affect kidney function.
NIOSH describes three broad overlapping stages. The neurological stage lasts from 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion, the cardiopulmonary stage occurs between 12 and 24 hours, and the renal stage occurs between 24 and 72 hours, and drinking alcohol at the same time can significantly delay effects. NIOSH says early intoxication resembles ethanol intoxication but without the odor of alcohol on the breath, with central nervous system depression, intoxication, euphoria, stupor and respiratory depression.
Treatment is time-sensitive. ATSDR says ethylene glycol poisoning can be effectively treated, but early diagnosis is needed to prevent serious injury, and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible in cases of known or suspected antifreeze ingestion. NIOSH says the antidotes fomepizole or ethanol should be given intravenously as soon as possible, and that fomepizole is preferred because its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated and its therapeutic dose is more easily maintained.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceATSDR describes ethylene glycol as a synthetic liquid that is odorless with a sweet taste, used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes and boats. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says swallowing larger amounts of ethylene glycol can cause serious illness or death, and that its breakdown forms crystals that can collect in the kidneys and affect kidney function. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceNIOSH says ethylene glycol toxicity has three overlapping stages, neurological from 30 minutes to 12 hours, cardiopulmonary from 12 to 24 hours and renal from 24 to 72 hours, and alcohol can significantly delay effects. NIOSH, CDC ↗
- Government sourceNIOSH says early ethylene glycol intoxication resembles ethanol intoxication without alcohol odor on the breath, with central nervous system depression, intoxication, euphoria, stupor and respiratory depression. NIOSH, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says ethylene glycol poisoning can be effectively treated but early diagnosis is needed, and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible for known or suspected antifreeze ingestion. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceNIOSH says fomepizole or ethanol should be given intravenously as soon as possible to block conversion of ethylene glycol, with fomepizole preferred for demonstrated efficacy and easier dosing. NIOSH, CDC ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.