BITTERING AGENTS - THEIR POTENTIAL APPLICATION IN REDUCING INGESTIONSOF ENGINE COOLANTS AND WINDSHIELD WASH

Ethylene glycol automobile engine coolants and methanol-based windshie ld washer liquids are toxic. Despite international attempts to improve the safety of these products through better labelling and packaging, accidental and intentional ingestions continue a source of poisonings worldwide. The rejection of bitter tasting substances forms part of th e human defense against Ingestion of harmful substances. Denatonium be ynzoate (DB) is currently recognised as a means to prevent ingestion o f ethyl alcohol intended for industrial use. This study investigated t he use of this bitter substance also as a deterrent against ingesting ethylene glycol and methanol. The palatability of ethylene glycol and methanol with and without the addition of DB was assessed using a huma n taste panel; 30 ppm DB rendered each product intolerable to the pane l. The addition of DB to ethylene glycol engine coolants and methanol- based windshield washer liquids at low concentrations could afford pro tection against accidental ingestions.