How do you get rid of glycol?: Medical Emergency vs. Safe Disposal

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Ingestion of toxic glycol, such as the ethylene glycol found in antifreeze, is a life-threatening medical emergency and accounts for thousands of reported poisoning cases each year. Therefore, understanding the correct procedures for handling exposure is critical, which is distinct from the proper methods for how do you get rid of glycol-containing waste products from your home or garage.

Quick Summary

Glycol elimination depends on the context: immediate medical treatment is required for accidental ingestion, while strict environmental protocols must be followed for household chemical disposal. Never attempt to handle poisoning at home; seek emergency medical help immediately. Improper disposal of waste glycol, like antifreeze, can lead to environmental contamination and serious health risks.

Key Points

Emergency Response: In case of accidental ingestion of glycol, immediately call a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) or 911, as this is a medical emergency.
Ingestion Dangers: Ingested toxic glycol, primarily ethylene glycol from antifreeze, is metabolized into poisonous acids and crystals that cause severe organ damage.
Not a Home Remedy: Never attempt to treat glycol poisoning at home with DIY remedies, as delay can be fatal.
Proper Disposal: For waste glycol, collect it in a sealed, labeled container and take it to a designated hazardous waste facility or recycling center.
Environmental Protection: Improperly disposing of used glycol by pouring it down the drain or on the ground can contaminate water supplies and harm the environment.
Know the Type: Be aware of the type of glycol you are handling, as ethylene glycol is highly toxic while propylene glycol is much less hazardous, although proper disposal is still necessary.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Help for Glycol Poisoning

When a person has ingested glycol, especially the highly toxic ethylene glycol found in antifreeze, the priority is not how to get rid of the glycol yourself, but to seek immediate medical intervention. The body metabolizes ethylene glycol into toxic compounds that can cause severe metabolic acidosis and damage to the kidneys, brain, and heart. There are no safe home remedies for treating glycol poisoning; delay can be fatal. If ingestion is suspected, contact a poison control center immediately by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222, or call 911.

The Progressive Stages of Ethylene Glycol Poisoning

Ethylene glycol poisoning symptoms develop in three overlapping stages over 72 hours, highlighting the need for prompt treatment:

Stage 1 (30 minutes to 12 hours): The initial symptoms mimic alcohol intoxication due to the unmetabolized ethylene glycol acting as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This stage can involve dizziness, slurred speech, restlessness, and nausea. The sweet taste of antifreeze often makes it tempting for children and animals, increasing the risk of accidental ingestion.
Stage 2 (12 to 48 hours): The second stage begins as the body metabolizes glycol into highly acidic compounds, primarily glycolic and oxalic acids. This causes severe metabolic acidosis, leading to symptoms like rapid breathing (hyperventilation), a drop in blood pressure, and potential heart failure. Calcium oxalate crystals begin to deposit in tissues, including the kidneys and brain.
Stage 3 (24 to 72 hours): The final stage is characterized by acute kidney failure. The accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals in the renal tubules leads to kidney damage, which can result in reduced or no urine output. This stage can cause long-term, irreversible kidney damage or death if untreated.

The Hospital's Role in Treating Glycol Poisoning

In a hospital setting, medical professionals will employ specific treatments to remove glycol from the body and counteract its toxic effects:

Antidotes: The primary treatment involves administering an antidote that inhibits the enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) responsible for metabolizing glycol into its toxic byproducts. Fomepizole is the FDA-approved antidote, but ethanol can also be used if fomepizole is unavailable. These antidotes effectively block further acid production, allowing the kidneys to excrete the unmetabolized glycol safely.
Hemodialysis: For severe cases involving significant metabolic acidosis, high glycol levels, or kidney failure, hemodialysis is necessary. This procedure uses a machine to filter the blood, directly removing the glycol and its harmful metabolites from the body. Hemodialysis is the most efficient method for removing the toxins and correcting severe electrolyte imbalances.
Supportive Care: Doctors also provide supportive care, such as managing severe acidosis with intravenous sodium bicarbonate and treating seizures with benzodiazepines.

Safely Handling and Disposing of Glycol-Containing Products

For environmental or waste management purposes, getting rid of glycol requires following strict safety guidelines to prevent harm to humans, animals, and the environment. Never pour glycol-based products, especially toxic ethylene glycol from used antifreeze, down a drain, into the sewer, or onto the ground.

Proper Steps for Safe Glycol Disposal

Collect in a Labeled Container: Drain used glycol into a clean, durable container with a secure lid. Use a new container and clearly label it as “Used Antifreeze” or “Hazardous Waste.” Do not reuse old food or beverage containers, which could lead to accidental ingestion.
Avoid Mixing: Keep used glycol separate from all other fluids, including motor oil. Mixing different waste fluids can complicate the recycling process and increase disposal costs.
Contact Local Facilities: Your municipal public works department or local environmental agency can provide information on certified hazardous waste collection sites or events. Many communities and auto parts stores also have antifreeze recycling programs for both ethylene and propylene glycol.
Transport Safely: When transporting glycol to a disposal site, follow all local regulations regarding the transport of hazardous materials. Secure the sealed container to prevent spills.

Comparison Table: Ethylene Glycol vs. Propylene Glycol


Feature	Ethylene Glycol	Propylene Glycol
Toxicity	Highly toxic if ingested.	Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for certain uses, though large doses can cause adverse effects.
Common Uses	Antifreeze (often colored fluorescent yellow-green), de-icing solutions, hydraulic brake fluids.	Food additive, solvent in medicines and cosmetics, antifreeze for RVs and marine applications.
Health Risk	Ingestion can lead to severe organ damage and death.	Low risk with typical exposure, but risk increases with high or prolonged doses.
Appearance	Clear, odorless, and has a sweet taste.	Clear, odorless, and also has a slightly sweet taste.
Disposal	Classified as hazardous waste; must be handled and recycled or disposed of by certified facilities.	Requires proper disposal, but is less environmentally hazardous than ethylene glycol.

Conclusion

Understanding how to get rid of glycol depends critically on the context. If a person has ingested toxic glycol, the only correct answer is to get emergency medical treatment immediately, as this is a life-threatening medical situation with no at-home cures. The danger lies in the body's rapid breakdown of the substance into destructive acids and crystals that can cause permanent organ damage or death. For the disposal of glycol-containing products, like old antifreeze, the process is preventative and environmental. You must follow strict protocols for safe collection, transport, and recycling through a certified hazardous waste facility. By distinguishing between these two scenarios, you can take appropriate action—securing immediate medical help during an emergency and preventing harm through proper disposal. For further information on toxic substances, you can visit the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Frequently Asked Questions

If someone ingests antifreeze, call 911 or a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) immediately. This is a medical emergency that requires professional treatment, such as antidotes and hemodialysis, as home remedies are ineffective.

Ethylene glycol itself is a central nervous system depressant, but its metabolism in the body produces highly toxic acids and calcium oxalate crystals. These byproducts can severely damage the kidneys, brain, and heart, leading to life-threatening complications.

Ethylene glycol is highly toxic and most commonly found in automotive antifreeze. Propylene glycol, while also used in antifreeze, is less toxic and is even approved by the FDA for use as a food additive in certain products.

No, you should never pour used antifreeze down the drain, into a sewer, or on the ground. It is considered hazardous waste that can contaminate water supplies and harm the environment and animals.

To safely dispose of used antifreeze, collect it in a sealed, clearly labeled container. Take the container to a certified hazardous waste collection site or an auto parts store that offers recycling programs for used glycol.

The initial signs of poisoning, appearing within a few hours, can resemble being drunk and include dizziness, slurred speech, and nausea. As the poisoning progresses, more severe symptoms like rapid breathing and organ damage develop.

Skin contact with glycol can cause mild irritation but is not typically a significant source of systemic toxicity. It is still recommended to wash any affected skin thoroughly with soap and water.