Ethylene Glycol

Context: A day after Uzbekistan alleged 18 child deaths in Samarkand from consumption of a medicinal syrup manufactured by an Indian drugmaker.

• The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers issued a gazette notification titled Ethylene Glycol (Quality Control) Order, 2022 on December 29.

About Ethylene glycol:

• Ethylene glycol is a colourless and odourless alcoholic compound that can be fatal if consumed.
• It is mostly used as an automotive antifreeze and as a raw material for manufacturing polyester fibres.
• Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are adulterants that are sometimes illegally used as solvents in liquid drugs.
• Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol may be used by pharma companies as an alternative to non-toxic solvents such as glycerine or propylene glycol to cut costs.
• It is also found in several products such as:
  • hydraulic brake fluids
  • stamp pad inks
  • ballpoint pens
  • solvents, paints
  • cosmetics
  • plastics.

About Marion Biotech:

• Marion Biotech is a drug company based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• It is a licensed manufacturer and holds a licence for manufacturing of Dok1 Max syrup and tablets for export purposes granted by UP Drug Control.
• Marion Biotech does not sell Dok-1 Max in India and its only export has been to Uzbekistan.

Details of the Ethylene Glycol (Quality Control) Order, 2022:

• The order came after the Centre consulted the Bureau of Indian Standards on the matter.
• Certification and enforcement authority:
  • In respect of specific goods or articles, the Bureau of Indian Standards shall be the certifying and enforcing authority.
• Penalty:
  • Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Order shall be punishable under the provisions of the said Act.

Source:  DownToEarth

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Consider the following statements:

1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.

Which of the statements given above are correct? (2022)

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:

1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct? (2022)

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3