Diethylene glycol (CED0003996)

Diethylene glycol (C4H10O3) is an organic oxygen compound with an average molecular weight of 106.12 g/mol. Diethylene glycol belongs to the ethers, a subclass of organooxygen compounds within the organic compounds. In industrial applications, it serves as a solvent, emulsifier, deodorizer, fragrance, viscosity modifier, binder, lubricating agent, monomer, catalyst, and reducing agent (PMC12314872). The compound is present in 48 recorded sources across multiple sectors. These include electrical and electronic equipment, such as antennas, amplifiers, coils, auxiliary devices, and adjustable resistors; household cleaning and consumer products, including bleaching agents, perfumes within soaps and detergents, cigar cigarettes, other smoking requisites, and non electric simulated smoking devices; and food, food processing and cookware, specifically food contact materials, the processing of meats, food preservation, and the preparation of wine, sparkling wine, or fermentation processes for beer. Additionally, it is found in drinking water and water supply, indoor air, and building and construction materials such as roofs, ceilings, floors, fencing, and tents or canopies. Exposure routes for this compound include touch, oral, and inhalation. In the context of plastics, diethylene glycol is used in polyamide, polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene. It is also present in polyurethane and is released in polyethylene terephthalate.