I came across this article on wikipedia on ethylene glycol stating that it decomposes fairly quickly. I was under the impression that ethylene glycol was dangerous to let leach into soil, but I think I'm mistaken as wikipedia states
it [ethylene glycol] breaks down in air in about 10 days and in water or soil in a few weeks. It enters the environment through the dispersal of ethylene glycol-containing products, especially at airports, where it is used in deicing agents for runways and aeroplanes.
- What does it decompose into ($\ce{CO2 + H2O}$?) and what is the mechanism?
- Does this mean that a tub of ethylene glycol exposed to air will eventually contain only water?
- Is the reaction the same when ethylene glycol penetrates soil around runways?
- What is the activation energy for the decomposition and at what temperature will it no longer decompose?
