Memorandum for motorists on the choice of windshield washer fluid

The Sanitary and Epidemiological Service recommends that vehicle owners pay close attention to the selection of non-freezing windshield washer fluids.

As you know, in winter, safety while driving largely depends on the condition of the glass. Ordinary distilled water freezes at sub-zero temperatures, which can lead to the failure of your car's washer and leave you helpless on a dirty or snowy road. The situation is much more dangerous when the fluid freezes on the car's windshield under a strong stream of oncoming air, resulting in an ice crust forming on the glass, obstructing visibility.

Today, motorists use special glass cleaning fluids that help to quickly and effortlessly deal with this problem. Currently, the market offers a wide variety of washer fluids from different manufacturers and under various names.

Not all fluids are effective at low temperatures and safe for consumers.

The functions of windshield washer fluid include:

protection from dirt even in extremely difficult conditions, at temperatures down to -30° C;

Absence of streaks, rainbow films after using the fluid;

Neutrality to car paintwork, rubber and plastic body parts;

Protection from insects during the summer season;

Safety for the health of the driver and passengers.

 Monatomic alcohols – ethyl, methyl, isopropyl – cope best with the aforementioned tasks.

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol, methyl carbinol) is C2H5OH. It is used in the food industry, as well as for degreasing contacts in electrical engineering and electronics.

Methyl alcohol (methanol, carbinol, wood alcohol) is CH3OH. It is highly toxic, has a faint odor indistinguishable from ethyl (food-grade) alcohol, is inexpensive, and cleans glass well. However, methyl alcohol (methanol) is a potent cumulative poison that has a targeted effect on the nervous and vascular systems, optic nerves, and retinas. Methyl alcohol can cause acute poisoning with fatal outcomes through inhalation, absorption through intact skin, or ingestion; it irritates the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and eyes.

Repeated prolonged exposure to methanol causes dizziness, pain in the heart and liver area, leads to neurasthenia, impaired vision, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, upper respiratory tract, and dermatitis. When ingested, the lethal dose of methanol for humans is 30 grams, but severe poisoning, accompanied by blindness, can be caused by 5-10 grams of the substance. By the Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus of December 28, 2006 No. 122, as well as the Unified sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic requirements for products (goods) subject to sanitary-epidemiological surveillance (control), approved by the Decision of the Commission of the Customs Union of May 28, 2010 No. 299, a restriction on the content of methanol in low-freezing windshield washer fluids has been established at a concentration not exceeding 0.05% by volume.

Isopropyl alcohol (propan-2-ol, isopropanol) – CH3CH(OH)CH3. It has a sharp odor resembling acetone.

In addition to alcohol, windshield washer fluid contains:

water;

surfactants (PAVs);

corrosion inhibitors and dyes.

Useful tips:

It is best to purchase washer fluids that have been tested and have positive reviews regarding their performance. It is important to ensure that the washer fluid does not cause eye irritation, headaches, malaise, or loss of concentration.

Winter washer fluid should not thicken. If the fluid viscosity increases, its flow through the washer tubes and nozzles deteriorates.

When purchasing washer fluid, do not rely solely on bright packaging or catchy advertising, nor should you buy a large quantity of the product at once. It is much more reliable to purchase a small canister first.

It is not advisable to use methanol-based washer fluids, especially if the cabin does not have an air recirculation mode.

Avoid isopropyl fluids. To mask the smell of acetone isopropyl alcohol, manufacturers often add strong-smelling substances that imitate the scent of lemon, orange, or apple. This can cause dizziness or headaches. It is better to opt for ethyl alcohol-based washer fluid with a less pungent odor (its own or an added fragrance).

When choosing washer fluid, pay special attention to its appearance and packaging: the canister (flask, bottle) must be tightly sealed, and the label on

The label must be applied evenly and contain maximum information; it is desirable for the container to be transparent. A good sign is also when the neck has a membrane — this is additional protection against counterfeiting.

The color of the windshield washer fluid is preferably blue. Cloudy and opaque fluid on the glass obstructs visibility, and thin films of other colors are well visible on it and distort the surrounding environment.

To test the cleaning properties of the fluid, it is necessary to spray the windshield washer fluid onto the glass surface and activate the wipers for 3-4 strokes. The windshield surface should be clean, without rainbow streaks.

Do not dilute the washer fluid yourself (unless specifically indicated on the label), as there is a risk of reducing the cleaning properties of the fluid (cloudiness or sediment may appear, obstructing visibility through the glass).

 

Windshield washer fluid should only be purchased at authorized retail outlets. When purchasing windshield washer fluid, pay attention to the information on the consumer packaging, displayed on the label, which should contain details about the manufacturer with the address, product name, its purpose, composition, compliance with technical specifications under which the product was manufactured, shelf life, and precautions. A document confirming safetyof windshield washer fluids and permitting the free circulation of such products in the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Eurasian Economic Union is a state registration certificate issued by authorized bodies and institutions in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.

 

! Various anti-icing fluids are sold in stores (mainly under the name "Antiled"), which are not intended for use as windshield washer fluids, as they contain methyl alcohol in their composition. Often, the containers and color of anti-icing fluids do not differ in appearance from automotive windshield washer fluids, and a similar label design is used. At the same time, the information on the labeling indicates that the product is intended for cleaning snow and ice from metal, plastic, concrete and other coatings and surfaces. If used improperly, these fluids can pose a threat to human health. What are the distinguishing features of an anti-icer? Usually, such a product is a polymera bottle made of transparent plastic with a capacity of 4-5 liters, containing a liquid predominantly in blue and cyan color shades. The label may feature images of vehicles, snowflakes, crystallization temperature, and bear the inscriptions: "antifreeze", "antifreeze liquid" (but not "windshield washer fluid", "windshield washing liquid", "windshield cleaning liquid"). Additionally, the composition must be indicated, which may include one of the following substances: methanol, methyl alcohol, methyl hydrate, CH3OH, with a percentage ratio.

 

Information on hazardous products (non-standard) can be found in the register of hazardous products prohibited for import and/or circulation in the Republic of Belarus on the official website, Telegram channel of the State Committee for Standardization - https://danger.gskp.by, on the official website of the State Institution "Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health" based on the published resolutions of the Deputy Minister – Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Belarus on the prohibition of product circulation https://rcheph.by