Triethylene glycol (CED0004011)

Triethylene glycol belongs to the ethers, a subclass of organooxygen compounds within the organic compounds. It has the chemical formula C6H14O4 and an average molecular weight of 150.17 g/mol. Within industrial applications, this compound serves as a solvent, solubility enhancer, biocide, and viscosity modifier. It is further utilized as a pigment, monomer, deodorizer, and fragrance. The compound is present in polyethylene terephthalate and is found in or released from 41 recorded sources. These sources span several sectors, including building and construction (ceilings and fencing), drinking water and water supply (drinking water), and air, dust and atmospheric transport (indoor air). It is also associated with food, food processing and cookware, specifically in food preservation, processing meats, food contact materials, and fermentation processes for beer. In the realm of household cleaning and consumer products, it appears in bleaching agents, perfumes within detergents and soaps, cigar cigarettes, other smoking requisites, and non-electric simulated smoking devices. Additionally, it is found in electrical and electronic equipment, such as antennas, amplifiers, communication cables or conductors, auxiliary devices, and conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materials, among 17 other items. Exposure to triethylene glycol occurs through oral, inhalation, and touch routes. Regarding its biological activity, there are three recorded protein targets for the compound: phosphoserine aminotransferase (serC), endo-beta-1,4-galactanase (ganB), and catabolic acetolactate synthase (budB).