diethylene glycol

American  

[dahy-eth-uh-leen glahy-kawl, ‐kol] / daɪˈɛθ əˌlin ˈglaɪ kɔl, ‐kɒl /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a syrupy colorless liquid, C 4 H 10 O 3 , used as a solvent for nitrocellulose and as a fabric softener.

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diethylene glycol British  

/ daɪˈɛθɪˌliːn ˈɡlaɪkɒl /

noun

1. a colourless soluble, poisonous liquid used as a solvent. Formula: (C 2 H 4 OH) 2 O

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Etymology

Origin of diethylene glycol

First recorded in 1925–30; di- ¹ + ethylene

Example Sentences

The samples of the cough syrup collected in Ramnagar and sent for testing to a lab in Chandigarh had "more than 34% diethylene glycol," Jammu and Kashmir drug controller Lotika Khajuria told the BBC.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2023

The WHO has said the deaths are linked to over-the-counter cough syrups the children took for common illnesses and which contained a known toxin, either diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol.

From Reuters • Jan. 24, 2023

It said tests on samples of the syrup showed that they contained unacceptable amounts of toxic substances diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2022

The WHO in October said that lab analysis confirmed "unacceptable" amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in the medicines made by Maiden, which can be toxic and lead to acute kidney injury.

From Reuters • Dec. 20, 2022

In India, at least five mass-death episodes caused by diethylene glycol contamination have been recorded since the 1970s.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2022