Triethyl citrate sources, health risks

Triethyl citrate comes in other names such as ethyl citrate, 77-93-0, eudraflex, citric acid triethyl ester, and citroflex 2, among others. A colorless and odorless liquid, it can be used as a flavoring agent and food additive to stabilize foams, especially as a whipping aid for egg whites.

It also has its uses as a solvent and plasticizer for nitrocellulose and natural resins, agglutinant, paint remover, perfume base, and softener.

Triethyl citrate produces smoke and irritating fumes when heated to decomposition. It is used in the manufacture of personal care, air care, and laundry and dishwashing products, and paints and coatings.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, via a survey that they did between the years 1981 and 1983, reported that 11,496 workers (3,993 of whom were female) were exposed to triethyl citrate in the United States. At the workplace, exposure to triethy citrate may have occurred through dermal contact, while the general population may have been exposed via ingestion of food and dermal contact with consumer products.

Harmful effects that can be caused by triethyl citrate

Triethyl citrate can cause genetic defects such as germ cell mutagenicity.

Triethyl citrate has cancer-causing elements.

Triethyl citrate can cause hyperkalemia, or the presence of abnormally high amounts of potassium in the body. This is bad because it can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, muscle pain, and palpitations that can all eventually lead to cardiac arrest and may even cause death.

Body systems harmed by triethyl citrate

Triethyl citrate is bad for the excretory system. It can damage the kidneys and liver by causing metabolic acidosis, or the inability of the kidneys to remove toxins from the body.

Triethyl citrate is bad for the central nervous system.

Triethyl citrate is bad for the ocular system. It can causes severe irritations to the eyes.

Where to learn more

• MSG.news
• Chemicals.news
• Statins.news

Summary

Triethyl citrate produces smoke and irritating fumes when heated to decomposition.

Triethyl citrate can cause genetic defects such as germ cell mutagenicity.

Triethyl citrate has cancer-causing elements.

Sources include:

PubChem.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

Bibra-Information.co.uk

ToxNet.NLM.NIH.gov