Home & Garden Discussions

I heard about this but it was a big email hoax. I have not heard any updates on these lately, but I did find an article on the ASPCA's website from 2004. Below is the link where the ASPCA commented on these rumors. This rumor came out the same time my Jack Russell died. I was relieved this was a rumor.

http://www.aspca.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=16054&security=2220&news_iv_ctrl=1400

I hope this helps!!!

I want to mention that standard automotive antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is not terribly toxic. Yes, it can be poisonous but it takes a decent amount to be toxic, far more than many other household chemicals. The bad thing about ethylene glycol is that it has a sweet taste, so an animal or child may  continue to eat/drink it and get that large lethal dose. The amount left in residue from cleaning products is going to be WAY too small to be toxic.

There is a less-common automotive antifreeze made from propylene glycol that is even less toxic than ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is actually marketed as being environmentally safe.

Working on cars over the years, I've occasionally had antifreeze splatter into my mouth and eyes. It has never caused a problem.

Edit: I checked Wikipedia and it refers to ethylene glycol as "highly toxic." Wikipedia goes on to say: "Poison control centers often use more than a lick or taste in a child or more than a mouthful in an adult as a dose requiring hospital assessment." That's not a lethal dose, just one that requires hospital testing and observation. As poisons go, it's not all that toxic if most adults can survive a mouthful of the stuff. That's not the case with Drano, ammonia, bleach or even gasoline. Moral of the story is that you shouldn't drink antifreeze, or leave it where a child or pet has access to it.

--Bob

This is completely false and bogus.

www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp