Propylene Glycol

This article is part of the Tobacco portal on Sourcewatch funded from 2006 - 2009 by the American Legacy Foundation.

Propylene glycol is used in industry as a lubricant or heat-transfer fluid, e.g., in antifreeze. It is used as a raw material for plasticizers and is a component of cellophane. Propylene glycol serves as a base in aircraft deicing fluids. It is also used as a humectant in foods, such as shredded coconut, in tobacco, and in pet food. Aqueous solutions of propylene glycol containing a corrosion inhibitor are used for low-temperature protection of fresh-water plumbing in recreational vehicles and boats. It is added to latex paint to provide freeze-thaw stability. It is used in medication as a solvent for drugs. It is also used as a component of brake fluid. It is used in tobacco as a humectant.