X-Message-Number: 15454
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 12:07:30 -0500
From: "Henry R. Hirsch" <>
Subject: PEG and Vitrification: Toxicity

Doug Skrecky's message #15143 on vitrification and polyethylene glycol 
(PEG) reminded me of a recent PEG experience. I drank 4 liters (!) of PEG 
solution to clean out my colon in preparation for a colonoscopy. It was not 
pleasant, but I survived quite well, as expected.

This indicates that PEG at low concentrations is not toxic. PEG is not too 
different chemically from the widely used automotive antifreeze ethylene 
glycol, which, at higher concentrations, IS  toxic. Have any experiments 
been reported other than the one Doug cited that are relevant to 
application of PEG to perfusates for cryonics?

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