Recently, the Health Ministry of Uzbekistan said 18 children, with acute respiratory disease, have died from taking excessive doses of a cough syrup, Doc-1 Max, manufactured by Marion Biotech, an Indian firm.
- The children consumed “excessive amounts” of the cough syrup, which contained ethylene glycol, a substance that ought not to be present in cough syrup.
- This comes days after a parliamentary panel in The Gambia found “unacceptable levels” of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in cough syrups made by Haryana-based Maiden Pharma.
- Marion Biotech does not sell Dok-1 Max in India and its only export has been to Uzbekistan, an Uttar Pradesh government official said as inspection began at the company office in Noida.
About Ethylene glycol
- Ethylene glycol is a clear, colorless, syrupy (viscous) liquid at room temperature.It is mostly used as an automotive antifreeze and as a raw material for manufacturing polyester fibres.
- According to the US-CDC, it is also found in several products such as hydraulic brake fluids, stamp pad inks, ballpoint pens, solvents, paints, cosmetics and plastics.
- Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste and is often ingested by accident or on purpose. Ethylene glycol breaks down into toxic compounds in the body.
- Ethylene glycol and its toxic byproducts first affect the central nervous system (CNS), then the heart, and finally the kidneys. Ingesting enough can cause death.
- Ethylene glycol is odorless. Ethylene glycol can pollute water. Ethylene glycol can pollute food.
