Ethylene glycol (EG) is a widely used alcohol in our daily lives especially within antifreeze which intake even in very small quantities can be hazardous for the human health. Though we are unable to reach the statistics for Turkey, it has been estimated for USA that 40-60 people loose their lives every year as a result of EG intoxication and the mortality ratio of the EG related intoxication is between percent 1 to 22 worldwide.

EG which is mostly taken orally caused holocausts in many countries all over the world by way of mixing with drugs. EG intoxication is mostly accidental but followed by suicides. Homicide with EG on the other hand is reported to be quite seldom. Although EG is weakly absorbed by inhalation and through the skin,  its absorption through the digestive system is very easy. EG itself is not toxic however its metabolites are very hazardous for the human health. These metabolites deepen to the metabolic acidosis table and trigger the development of acute renal failure, lung edema, hypotension and coma tables.

In the EG treatment, even used ethanol as a classical treatment method, 4-methylpyrazole approved by FDA (Food and Drug Agency) as treatment method of EG in today. The most important finding in the autopsy of the EG related intoxications would be the crystallized calcium oxalate sediments in tissues covering the brain, hearth, lungs and kidneys, especially in the proximal renal tubulus.

Key words: ethylene glycol, poisoning, history, pharmacokinetic, therapy, autopsy.