WHAT IS THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE: What You Need To Know

“You can live without oil, you can live without money, but you can’t live without water,” Archambault told KFYR TV of Bismarck.

What is the Dakota Access Pipeline? It is a pipeline 1,170 miles long from North Dakota to Illinois. The purpose of it is to deliver 570,000 barrels of oil a day. It is similar to the Keystone XL project, but is shorter and won't deliver as much oil.

The Keystone XL required presidential approval because it crossed the border between Canada and the US. The company Energy Transfer Partners has already been granted most of the permits and begun clearing the ground along the route of the pipeline. Even though the oil from Alberta, Canada that has been so long protested was supposed to have been stopped, it is going to be transferred through this pipeline. 

Energy Transfer Partners is in a political and legal battle with The Standing Rock Sioux and other protestors over the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Native Americans are concerned about the environmental impact of the pipeline on their only source of water. They say the US Army Corps of Engineers didn’t give adequate opportunities to assess the pipeline’s impact on cultural sites and potential environmental effects of a spill and collect feedback from the tribe.

Pipeline Threatens Native American Tribe's Water

Will You Stand With The Indigenous People Against The Dakota Pipeline? (w/Guest: Dave Archambault)

The pipeline does not go directly through the Standing Rock tribal land. But it would cross the Missouri River a few hundred feet upstream from the border of the reservation, and less than a mile from Cannon Ball. Beyond that crossing point, the Missouri River serves as the eastern border of the reservation. Because of this, the quality of water in the river is vitally important to the health and well-being and prosperity of the tribe. It is their water supply.

Tribal leaders say that there was originally another proposed crossing for the pipeline and the people in that community were given the opportunity to protest because they had concerns for their drinking water safety and that the Sioux have not been afforded the same opportunities.

There are federal environmental and preservation laws requiring the Corps of Engineers to consult with the tribes, but even though they have held 154 meetings between the Dakota Access company, local elected officials and community organizations in North Dakota since the project was announced last summer, not one of those meetings included Standing Rock.

dakota-access-pipeline-threat-what-you-need-know

In addition, they are now destroying sacred sites. http://rabbitsliketrumpets.typepad.com/Press%20Release_Standing%20Rock%20Sioux_%2009032016.pdf

“This demolition is devastating,” Archambault said. “These grounds are the resting places of our

ancestors. The ancient cairns and stone prayer rings there cannot be replaced. In one day, our

sacred land has been turned into hollow ground.”DAPL Pipeline Interests Try Outrageous Fait Accompli and Destroy Ancient Sites

Statement From Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

This gives the appearance of being a retaliatory act or psychological warfare, because the company is angry that the Native Americans are resisting them. There is a case pending in federal court and they should have waited on a ruling before they did anything that radical. They took advantage of the Labor Day Weekend holiday to do this. But more importantly, why didn't the federal court grant an injunction to keep them from doing this?

People who live in this area are generally aware of how much regulation goes into environmental studies for Corps projects due to all that went on with the Rt. 52 bypass around Chesapeake, OH. Things in South Dakota have not been conducted properly. The Huffington Post published an article that gives a timeline of the underhandedness.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/georgianne-nienaber/dapl-pipeline-interests-t_b_11861618.html

It is evident that some governmental agencies are not behaving as they should. The North Dakota DHS actually ordered water be taken away from the protestors in the 90-degree weather they have been having. There had been trailers and water tanks there at the protest encampment sent by the North Dakota Department of Health at the tribe's request to support the roughly 2,500 people now gathered along the Standing Rock reservation's border on the Cannonball River. "It is deeply ironic that the Governor would release emergency funds under the guise of public health and safety, but then remove the infrastructure that helps ensure health and safety in the camp," said Tara Houska, national campaigns director for Honor the Earth.

They had to have had this project in the works for much longer than people were aware. The Corps of Engineers granted permits across 60 river crossings just in Iowa. http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2016/07/dakota-access-pipeline-gets-federal-permit-approvals-in-iowa.html

It is evident that they intend to get this project well underway and possibly finished before the legal issues can be decided, making them irrelevant. They have said they hope to have it finished by the end of the year.

Those who are in support of the pipeline say it will, help give Americans energy independence. They have said that the fracked oil will be used only in the US. But that is basically a huge lie. They used the lie to gain public support and to get the project approved by regulators.

They did a presentation in Iowa in which they claimed, the new pipeline would deliver 100% domestically produced crude oil to US refineries, to be used exclusively by Americans. Dakota-Access-Iowa-Information.pdf

(Incidentally, the PDF above also has maps that show where this pipeline is supposed to go.

They also claim that those who protest it are “shameful”. “It’s a shameful act by a group of people trying to disrupt our energy security and independence,” Dakota Access officials told the Associated Press in the response to the protests, which have blocked construction of the pipeline near the city of Cannon Ball, N.D.Pipeline construction equipment damage in suspected arson

But the private security hired by the company is now tear gassing people and attacking them with dogs. To me that is shameful.

Dakota Access Pipeline Company Attacks Native American Protesters with Dogs & Pepper Spray

Last December, a 40-year ban on the export of oil was lifted by Congress. Afterward, the company backtracked on claims that the oil would be used domestically.

“We will not own the oil that is transported through the pipeline. We are like FedEx. We will deliver the oil to the refineries for the producers,” said Vicki Granado, Energy Transfer Partner’s spokesperson.

https://theintercept.com/2016/09/01/dakota-access-export/

When I first became aware of this issue, I was looking at it from a purely water oriented point of view. I will readily say, I am not an expert on how the oil industry works inside the US. I thought this pipeline was supposed to start in Canada and go to the gulf. I was thinking of the Keystone XL project, which President Obama decided to halt. To me, that meant that it would be a while before it reached the gulf. I wasn't aware that there are already numerous pipelines in the middle of the country already go to the gulf and this is basically the last leg of it. This is basically just a way to get around the Keystone XL problem and use some of the existing infra-structure. The Dakota Access Pipeline goes through four states, but it will then connect to pipelines already in existence that lead to the Nederland, Texas, terminal on the Gulf Coast, which is owned by Sunoco Logistics, a partner to the Dakota Access project, which is able to export crude oil. Shell Pipeline Deal With Locap Adds Rate Certainty; Sunoco Adds Access

You can see maps of the pipelines in this PDF:https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3036538-ETP-CITI-CONFERENCE-8-16-16.html#document/p8

At a conference at CitiBank on August 17-18, 2016, Energy Transfer Partners gave a presentation where they said they were “exceptionally well positioned to capitalize on U.S. energy exports.”

Energy Transfer Equity &Energy Transfer Partners

“We are certain that this oil will be sent to the Gulf of Mexico and sold to the highest bidder,” says Jonas Magram, an Iowa resident who lives in a county along the path of the Dakota Access pipeline, who has protested the construction. http://nanonews.org/iowa-pipeline-protesters-plan-civil-disobedience-action/

Some politicians have been heavily involved in this pipeline. Former Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican from Texas, pushed lawmakers to lift the ban on crude oil only one month after joining the board of Energy Transfer Partners, the parent company of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Facing Felony Charges, Rick Perry Joins Board of Energy Transfer Partners, Owner of Proposed Oil Pipeline Across Iowa

There are also people that Energy Transfer Partners used imminent domain laws against. http://www.davisbrownlaw.com/filesimages/legalIssues/PDFs/10%20-%20Post-Hearing%20Brief.pdfhttp://www.davisbrownlaw.com/filesimages/legalIssues/PDFs/10%20-%20Post-Hearing%20Brief.pdf

So, it isn't just a Native American issue.

The following is from the Huffington Post: “Immediately recognizing the need to stop this process, on August 4, 2016, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe along with attorneys from Earthjustice filed a motion with supporting documents for a preliminary injunction against the DAPL. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued the initial permitting for the pipeline. Federal Judge James E. Boasberg rejected the motion to ignore the injunction request and ordered a status conference on September 14, leaving room for discussion after his ruling September 9.

That fact that the corps ruled in favor of the DAPL routing, to begin with, is beyond puzzling, since not one, but three Federal agencies opposed it. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation have all said that the USACE had not done an adequate Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), mainly with regard to drinking water.

Most recently, representatives of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues said the same, and that the Tribe must have a say.” DAPL Pipeline Interests Try Outrageous Fait Accompli and Destroy Ancient Sites

If as the Sioux fear, the pipeline under the river breaks it will contaminate water for millions of people who live downstream. And Missouri feeds into the Mississippi River.

In an article in the Des Moines Register, farmers complain that the company is destroying their farmland. It says that in some places, they excavated 20 feet deep and the result is that the hard clay at the bottom could end up just a couple feet from the ground. The farmers were paid for access to their land, but only after it seemed that imminent domain was going to be used to take it from then one way or another.

Iowa is known for some of the most valuable and fertile land in the country. “In Sioux and O'Brien counties, the average farmland price topped $10,800 per acre in 2015, according to statistics kept by Iowa State University. The statewide average sale price was $7,633 per acre.” dakota-access-pipeline-degrading-soil-farmers-complain

Some of the landowners say that water from the construction sites is running off onto their farmland.

One of the places the pipeline is supposed to go is under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe. If there were to be a leak there is would be catastrophic. As of August 30^th, Dakota Access didn't have the permit to drill under this area yet, because the Corps of Engineers had not notified Congress. Because the Corps owns land on either side of Lake Oahe, Dakota Access must get an “easement” from the Corps to dig the tunnel for the pipeline underneath federally owned lands. Under the law, the Corps must give Congress notification of its intent to grant such an easement, and then wait 14 days after giving notice before issuing the easement.

Thirty-one different groups sent a letter to President Obama last Thursday. They are asking him to revoke the permits that have already been granted and to block the remaining ones. A similar strategy tied up the Keystone XL pipeline. The White House referred the issue to the Department of Justice.

There have also been protests in other places around the country, including in Houston, TX where Energy Transfer Partners is headquartered. 

Houston Stands Against the Dakota Access Pipeline

Demonstrators in Kansas City protest Dakota Access Pipeline

President Obama actually made a visit a few years back and in his speech he promised the Standing Rock people that he would treat Native Americans better than previous presidents had. He even quoted Sitting Bull saying that we should put our minds together to see what we can build for our children. It remains to be seen whether he will keep his promise, amid so many other broken ones. I don't think that when he was promising to bring them more economic opportunities that they thought he meant to do it by building this pipeline. In the above video, you can see a story about how Native American teenagers ran 2000 miles all the way to the White House begging attention for their cause. Response? Crickets.

Natives & Non-Natives Unite To Stop Oil Pipeline

In case you are thinking that people are worrying too much and an oil spill isn't very likely: I found a video made in 2013 that said in a year's time there were 300 oil spills in North Dakota and 750 oil field incidents. None of them were reported to the public. OR how about the oil spill under the Yellow Stone River in North Dakota earlier this month?

Oil Spills Erupt In North Dakota, Public Kept In Dark

Oil Pipeline Break Is Under Yellowstone River, Protest Arrest N.D.

In the not so distant future, water is going to be an issue for us all. Billionaires and corporations have already begun buying up all of the fresh water around the world and in the US. It is in their interests to contaminate the water for the rest of us. How else will they be able to profit from their investment? But that's an article for another day.  The Privatization of Water: Nestlé Denies that Water is a Fundamental Human Right

There Must Be Something In The Water- The MCHM Contamination Caused by Freedom Industries.

The recent water catastrophe caused by Freedom Industries that contaminated the water in 9 counties in West Virginia, and then travelled downstream into the Ohio River, potentially effecting hundreds of thousands of people between Charleston, WV and Louisville, KY made me wonder what else is in our water, and who is violating the Clean Water Act. The press just keeps reporting that the further downstream the HCHM goes, the more diluted it will get.  This chemical is not water soluable. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol) (see chart)(http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb%3A%40term+%40DOCNO+2910)

A 2012 Environment America report found that, again, the Ohio River led the nation in the amount of toxic chemicals released into it by industries. (http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/120405/ohio-river-the-most-polluted-river-the-united-st) They found that there are 32 million pounds of discharge into the Ohio River. This was up by around 1 million pounds from the study they did in 2009. They based the study on what industries reported to the EPA in 2010. They are required to report it under the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory. Ninety three percent of the discharges were nitrate compounds, which can cause algae blooms and  "dead zones."

In 2011 Ohio was rated the second worst in the nation by the Environmental Integrity Project and the Sierra Club for emission of chromium, arsenic, lead, and mercury into the water. Ohio rated number one for mercury and selenium.

The EPA Toxic Release Inventory shows that Ohio released 70 million pounds of toxic air pollutants in 2009; 45 million pounds (65%)of that was from the electric industry. The report found that half of all the toxic air pollution comes from coal and oil fired power plants

Freedom Industries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy just days after the spill and has begun publicly blaming West Virginia American Water for the problem because they didn't shut down the water intake system fast enough, even though they are only about 1.5 miles downriver from Freedom Industries.  West Virginia American Water plans to file counter suits placing the blame on Freedom Industries. WV American Water appears to be the largest creditor in any lawsuits, meaning the people of West Virginia will have to take what is left over.

According to figures reported by The Natural Resources Defense Council, the study conducted in 1989 to determine the toxicity of MCHM was flawed and therefore made the determination by the CDC of what was an acceptable level flawed. For one thing they studied the effects of pure MCHM and what was actually spilled into the Elk River was crude MCHM. (http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jsass/doing_the_math_on_the_west_vir.html)

The Examiner reported and later said it was unverifiable that The U.S. Navy laboratory at Norfolk Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Va. says that the only acceptable level of the chemical in any oral form is less than 0.057 ppm, less than 1/16th the amount that Governor (Earl Ray) Tomblin had said was an acceptable level.
To hydrolyze means that something dissolves or disperses in water. For days now the media and government has been reporting that MCHM would go away in the Ohio River, while simultaneously saying that Louisville was going to filter out what was left with charcoal. But the NIH National Institutes of Health says it will not hydrolyze because it " lacks functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions". http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb%3A%40term+%40DOCNO+2910

Twelve days after the leak was reported, people were told that PPH was also in the tank.  At this point, I began researching what that was. To my dismay, although they had been telling us that MCHM probably wasn't toxic and would go away, although they really didn't know, since not much information was available, I found that PPH is listed by OSHA as a hazardous chemical. The following contains information saying that under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 Title III(Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986) Sections 311 and 312 it is an Immediate Acute Health Hazard. 

I was not surprised to find that Dow Chemical makes it (PPH). I also find it highly unlikely that someone in their company which is near Freedom Industries didn't look to see if they had sold them any of it to mix with the MCHM. The PPH was invented by Union Carbide of Bhopal fame, which Dow Chemical bought out. Freedom Industries and Dow Chemical are approximately 9 minutes away from each other.  One of the uses of it is in photo developing solutions,which explains why Eastman Industries makes it.(http://www.eastman.com/Products/Pages/ProductHome.aspx?Product=71000239)  But in this instance,  Eastman Industries manufactured the MCHM and Dow manufactures the PPH.
(http://www.sfm.state.or.us/CR2K_SubDB/MSDS/DOWANOL_PPH_GLYCOL_ETHER.PDF)(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycol_ethers)

P-series glycol ethers are used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints and adhesives. P-series glycol ethers are generally high performance industrial solvents

(Industrial Solvents Handbook, Revised And Expanded, Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff - 2003 )

"All glycol ethers have a low vapor pressure and a high potential for dermal absorption.
Inhaling glycol ethers can result in dermatitis with erythema, edema, and weeping; hyperpigmentation, and photosensitization. Exposure to ethylene glycol monoethyl ether can cause depression of the central nervous system, resulting in headaches, drowsiness, weakness, slurred speech, tremor, and blurred vision. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is regarded as the most toxic glycol ether used as a solvent. Exposure can result in bone marrow damage, headaches, drowsiness, weakness, slurred speech, tremor, and blurred vision. Exposure to vapors can result in respiratory, nose, throat, and eye irritation. Exposure to propylene glycol monomethyl ether can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. High levels become objectionable because of the chemical's odor."

This stuff is chemically similar to dry cleaning fluid(classified as carcinogenic to humans by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and must be handled as a hazardous waste) and ether. However the FDA classifies it as "generally recognized as safe."

Glycol ethers started to be used in different applications during the 1930s.  During the sixties and seventies, the range of applications for glycol ethers expanded.  This includes the use of glycol ethers in surface coatings. Without glycol ethers, many water-based coatings would not function like in decorative consumer paints and car painting operations by manufacturers.  Wood coatings, coil and anticorrosion coatings use glycol ethers.  Other important coating types include adhesives and inks in screen printing.  Cleaning products, cosmetics, specialty chemical manufacture, leather goods manufacture, electronics manufacture are other applications in the use of glycol ethers. Other uses include manufacture of agricultural products and in fire fighting foams, and in paper, textile, rubber, and constructions industries. (http://www.solventis.net/glycolethers)

Propylene glycol is a minor ingredient in the oil dispersant Corexit, used in great quantities during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill(BP Oil Spill)Water-propylene glycol mixtures dyed pink to indicate the mixture is relatively nontoxic are sold under the name of RV or marine antifreeze, and  it is used as aircraft de-icing fluid. It is also contained in electronic cigarettes.

Propylene glycol is known to exert high levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) during degradation in surface waters. This process can adversely affect aquatic life by consuming oxygen needed by aquatic organisms for survival. Large quantities of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water column are consumed when microbial populations decompose propylene glycol.

Corexit has come under scrutiny for possible adverse effects on marine life and humans that are exposed to it. In 2012, a study found that Corexit increases the toxicity of oil by 52 times.(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121130110518.htm)

Having now discovered this connection between Corexit and PPH, it becomes clear that someone knew that PPH was mixed in with the MCHM, and it was why they were so sure it would disperse. They knew that it was mixed with a solvent. It would be a good thing to know for sure which of the two chemicals was in the water.

But to be honest, even the PPH sucks the oxygen out of water, and despite the FDA approval of it, that doesn't seem like a good thing, for people, let alone the aquatic life. And I found it disturbing that it has been used in asthma inhalers and nebulizers since the 1950’s. Again, that effect on oxygen, since that is one of the purposes of our lungs.
(http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=240)Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has this to say about it:

Affected Organ Systems: Dermal (Skin), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. Propylene glycol is also used to make polyester compounds, and as a base for deicing solutions. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is “generally recognized as safe” for use in food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors and flavors, and in the paint and plastics industries.

Propylene glycol is also used to create artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting training and in theatrical productions. Other names for propylene glycol are 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol. Propylene glycol is clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid at room temperature. It may exist in air in the vapor form, although propylene glycol must be heated or briskly shaken to produce a vapor. Propylene glycol is practically odorless and tasteless.

"This substance/agent has not undergone a complete evaluation and determination under US EPA's IRIS program for evidence of human carcinogenic potential."(http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0543.htm)

"Propylene glycol is the main ingredient in "safer" forms of engine antifreeze/ coolants. Prestone's Low Tox® and Sierra ® are two commercial forms of propylene glycol antifreeze available in the US. Propylene glycol is approximately 3 times less toxic in dogs than ethylene glycol. The oral LD50 of PG in dogs is 22g/kg and according to a study, no clinical signs were seen when a dog was given an acute dose of 20 ml/kg.

Propylene glycol is metabolized to lactate. In toxic quantities, acidosis, liver damage, and renal insufficiency are possible. Clinical signs of a propylene glycol toxicoses include CNS depression, weakness, ataxia, and seizures. With large ingestion, diuresis and supportive care, such as treatment for acidosis, should be given. The usefulness of 4MP (Fomepizole) for treating PG toxicosis is not known and treatment with ethanol may cause more problems in relation to the development of acidosis."(The Veterinary Support Personnel Network; (http://www.vspn.org/Library/misc/VSPN_M00981.htm)
Notice this says less toxic, and not nontoxic.

Although less toxic than EG, ingestion of propylene glycol (PG) may be associated with a toxic syndrome similar to the acute phase of EG toxicosis. The oral LD50 of PG in dogs is ~9 mL/kg. In cats, ingestion of a diet containing 6–12% PG can result in Heinz body formation and decreased RBC survival. Treatment of PG toxicosis is largely supportive—the use of alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors is not indicated. Ingestion of PG may result in false-positive EG test kit results.(http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/toxicology/ethylene_glycol_toxicity/propylene_glycol_toxicosis.html)

This stuff may have been deemed safe by the FDA, but the veterinary community disagrees with it being safe for animals. It can literally kill a horse. "The accidental administration of propylene glycol to horses may result in fatal poisoning."(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2061183)

Obviously, it couldn't have been good for the wildlife environment. The jury is out on the effect on humans.

This chemical is pervasive in our environment and has been used in the medical field since at least the 1930's. Despite the FDA saying it is safe, the medical community;i.e. doctors know that when it is used to deliver medicines it causes propylene glycol toxicity. The symptoms include cardiac arrhythmia, seizures and coma and organ failure.(http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/data/Journals/CHEST/22030/1674.pdf)

RightDiagnosis.com is one of the world’s leading providers of online medical health information.
"Propylene Glycol is a chemical used mainly in cosmetics and in antifreeze and as a pharmaceutical solvent. Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure. The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Chemical poisoning -- Propylene Glycol includes the 10 symptoms listed below:

Eye irritation
Eye redness
Eye pain
CNS depression
Black fecal discoloration
Reduced blood pressure
Tearing eyes
Stupor
Porphyria
Seizures

Despite all of this the EPA says that it is safe. (http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/propylene_glycol_red.pdf)

One of the products made with PPH is aircraft de-icer. Aircraft deicing fluid (ADF) is used to maintain safe flight conditions. After use, the fluid typically mixes with storm water runoff and can potentially enter lakes, rivers, and streams. This can have at least two detrimental water quality effects: (1) the dissolved oxygen in the water body can be lowered, and (2) potentially toxic deicer chemicals can affect fish and other aquatic life.

When discharged to a lake, river, or stream untreated, aircraft deicer can cause two potential
problems: a reduction of dissolved oxygen, and aquatic toxicity. Oxygen reduction is due to
glycol, and toxicity is due to deicer anticorrosion and surfactant additives. In addition,
degradation products of glycols and additives may be toxic.(http://www.doa.state.wi.us/docs_view2.asp?docid=817)(Wisconsin Division of Energy)

Although some departments of the government consider it safe, depending on what is mixed with the antifreeze it can become highly toxic to aquatic life. (http://web.vims.edu/GreyLit/MDNR/cbrm-tx-93-1?svr=www)

The FDA while saying that propylene glycol is safe in food and cosmetics, and which has no jurisdiction over tobacco products, issued a statement noting that electronic cigarettes contain "carcinogenic elements such as propylene glycol, an ingredient found in antifreeze."

Generally, you have to be exposed to or ingest higher levels of propylene glycol for it to be as toxic.

The MSDS is very telling. It says that it causes CNS depression, seizures, coma arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hypoglycemia, damage to kidneys and liver. (http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927239)
This MSDS says that if you get it on your skin, wash it off immediately and apply an emollient. However, Dow says, "prolonged PG contact is essentially non-irritating to the skin." (http://www.dow.com/productsafety/finder/prog.htm#ExposurePotential)

I propose that Americans demand a new EPA regulation; i.e. Nobody can go around saying something is safe, when some other government agency already said it wasn't. And The FDA can't tell us that something is o.k. and then turn around and say it isn't, because the tobacco industry pressured them to do it, as in the case of the E-cigarettes.