LETTERS

摘要

Matt: In the Getting Started in Boats insert in WB No. 266, the description of "polyethylene glycol, or antifreeze" is said to be "green, sweet, and lethal." A quick Google search confirms my belief that polyethylene glycol is a laxative commonly called Miralax. The lethal green (some are yellow) stuff is ethylene glycol, or engine antifreeze. RV/Marine antifreeze is propylene glycol (pink, mostly), safe for potable water systems, but reputed to cause deterioration of rubber gaskets in marine heads. Boat owners and maintainers really should know which goes where, but it is easy to get confused. The safest course is to never use any of these for any other purpose than that described by the manufacturer on the original container.