What is triethylene glycol used for?

Triethylene glycol (TEG) has been used for natural gas dehydration, as a humectant, as a solvent, and as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of resins, plasticizers, lubricants and polyurethanes. In the past, TEG vapour or mist was used for disinfection, particularly in military barracks and hospital wards. Numerous experiments and practical studies have demonstrated that TEG possesses bactericidal activity against haemolytic streptococci, pneumococci and staphylococci. However, a small number of studies have indicated that TEG is ineffective in controlling respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, TEG formulations are also used to generate smoke, mist or fog for theatrical purposes; this is a non-mainstream application and is not endorsed by some manufacturers.

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