MARCH 20, 2015
VAIL, COLORADO
Vail fire and work crews quickly corralled a 250 to 500
gallon glycol spill Friday afternoon.
At about 4 p.m. Friday, crews responded to a call reporting
a leak in Vail’s snowmelt system. A 17-year-old pipe developed a leak on East
Meadow Drive near the pedestrian entry to the Vail Village parking garage,
across from the Covered Bridge.
Between 250 and 500 gallons of propylene glycol spilled.
Fire Chief Mark Novak says an unknown quantity entered a nearby storm drain
that empties into Gore Creek.
Crews worked with responders from Vail’s public works
department to create a containment area. The leak was isolated by 4:30 p.m.
Propylene glycol is a minimally hazardous antifreeze used to
prevent the snowmelt system from freezing.
Environmental health and water regulatory agencies have been
notified, Novak said.
The cleanup company, Interstate Restoration, was already
working Friday afternoon.
The in-town bus route has been rerouted until the cleanup is
complete and pedestrians will continue using a detour.
This particular pipe was installed in 1998.
Installation of a town-wide snowmelt system began in 2004,
covering almost nine acres. It took five years to complete.
Source:vaildaily.com
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1.1 What is propylene glycol?
Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that
absorbs water. Propylene glycol is also used to make polyester compounds, and
as a base for deicing solutions. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical,
food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead to
contact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified
propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as
safe" for use in food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain
moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for
food colors and flavors, and in the paint and plastics industries. Propylene
glycol is also used to create artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting
training and in theatrical productions. Other names for propylene glycol are
1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol.
Propylene glycol is clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid
at room temperature. It may exist in air in the vapor form, although propylene
glycol must be heated or briskly shaken to produce a vapor. Propylene glycol is
practically odorless and tasteless.
Waste streams from the manufacture of propylene glycol are primarily
responsible for the releases into the air, water, and soil. Propylene glycol
can enter the environment when it is used as a runway and aircraft de-icing
agent.
Propylene glycol can also enter the environment through the disposal of
products that contains it. It is not likely to exist in large amounts in the
air. We have little information about what happens to propylene glycol in the
air. The small amounts that may enter the air are likely to break down quickly.
If it escapes into the air, it will take between 24 and 50 hours for half the
amount released to break down. Propylene glycol can mix completely with water
and can soak into soil. It can break down relatively quickly (within several
days to a week) in surface water and in soil. Propylene glycol can also travel
from certain types of food packages into the food in the package.
Propylene glycol has been approved for use at certain levels
in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. If you eat food products, use
cosmetics, or take medicines that contain it, you will be exposed to propylene
glycol, but these amounts are not generally considered harmful. People who work
in industries that use propylene glycol may be exposed by touching these
products or inhaling mists from spraying them. These exposures tend to be at
low levels, however. Propylene glycol is used to make artificial smoke and
mists for fire safety training, theatrical performances, and rock concerts.
These artificial smoke products may also be used by private citizens. These
products are frequently used in enclosed spaces, where exposure may be more
intense.
Propylene glycol can enter your bloodstream if you breathe
air containing mists or vapors from this compound. It can also enter your
bloodstream through your skin if you come in direct contact with it and do not
wash it off. If you eat products that contain propylene glycol, it may enter
your bloodstream. Exposure of the general population to propylene glycol is likely
since many foods, drugs, and cosmetics contain it.
Propylene glycol breaks down in the body in about 48 hours.
However, studies of people and animals show that if you have repeated eye,
skin, nasal, or oral exposures to propylene glycol for a short time, you may
develop some irritation.
Propylene glycol breaks down at the same rate as ethylene
glycol, although it does not form harmful crystals when it breaks down.
Frequent skin exposure to propylene glycol can sometimes irritate the skin.
Propylene glycol is generally considered to be a safe
chemical, and is not routinely tested for, unless specific exposure, such as to
a medicine or cosmetic, can be linked with the observed bad symptoms. Since
propylene glycol breaks down very quickly in the body, it is very difficult to
detect.
The government has developed regulations and guidelines for
propylene glycol.
These are designed to protect the public from potential
adverse health effects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified
propylene glycol as "generally recognized as safe," which means that
it is acceptable for use in flavorings, drugs, and cosmetics, and as a direct
food additive. According to the World Health Organization, the acceptable
dietary intake of propylene glycol is 25 mg of propylene glycol for every
kilogram (kg) of body weight.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
1997. Toxicological profile for Propylene Glycol. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.