Considerations for deriving a safe intake of propylene glycol

Abstract

The use of propylene glycol (PG) in food and other applications is widespread, and some estimates of dietary exposure to PG approach or exceed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 25 mg/kg bw-day. The current ADI for PG applies a cumulative uncertainty factor of 100, which includes factors of 10 for both interspecies and intraspecies differences. Available toxicology studies and human data, however, indicate a plausible mode of action (MoA) that would support a chemical-specific adjustment factor (CSAF) of 1 for interspecies toxicodynamic differences, reducing the total uncertainty factor from 100 to 40. The MoA involves an increase in serum PG concentrations after metabolic saturation, leading to serum hyperosmolarity, which can ultimately cause hemolytic changes and red blood cell damage. Therefore, the species similarities in toxicodynamic response for this critical effect could support increasing the ADI from 25 to 62.5 mg/kg bw-day, applicable to both children and adults.