Re: to tap or distill?

["Jorge & Ani Mazlumian" <j.mazlumian@domain.elided>]

Jay says about glycol:
"Ethylene glycol is VERY sweet.  High-priced German (and I presume
Austrian) wines are syrupy sweet.  Much easier, and cheaper to make them
sweet with an additive, than actually working the grape for the
product.  Other than going around the very strict wine and labelling
laws, which is a no-no, glycol is, as you said, POISON.  Problem here,
dumping glycol in the street.  Dogs are known to have a sweet-tooth.
They drink the stuff, and over-heat.  Expire.  Double-plus ungood.  In
small amounts, though, glycol can sweeten, and the toxic effects are not
too bad.  Headache, and that sort of stuff, if memory serves"
*****************************
According to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)info:
(found in < http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/e5125.htm >)

ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
Vapor inhalation is generally not a problem unless heated or misted.
Exposure to vapors over an extended time period has caused throat irritation
and headache. May cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and drowsiness.
Pulmonary edema and central nervous system depression may also develop. When
heated or misted, has produced rapid, involuntary eye movement and coma.
Ingestion:
Initial symptoms in massive dosage parallel alcohol intoxication,
progressing to CNS depression, vomiting, headache, rapid respiratory and
heart rate, lowered blood pressure, stupor, collapse, and unconsciousness
with convulsions. Death from respiratory arrest or cardiovascular collapse
may follow. Lethal dose in humans: 100 ml (3-4 ounces).
Skin Contact:
Minor skin irritation and penetration may occur.
Eye Contact:
Splashes may cause irritation, pain, eye damage.
Chronic Exposure:
Repeated small exposures by any route can cause severe kidney problems.
Brain damage may also occur. Skin allergy can develop. May damage the
developing fetus.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, eye problems, or impaired liver,
kidney, or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of
this substance.
***************************************
However, the environmental effects are not that bad.  read the whole info
sheet, too long to reproduce here.
Certainly worse than drinking water in certain countries.
Jorge Mazlumian

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