[8] Some useful products derived from glycidol are 2,3-epoxypropyloxy chloroformate (from phosgene) and glycidyl urethanes (by addition of isocyanates:[8] Glycidol is used as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of other glycidyl ethers, esters, and amines.
Glycidyl fatty acid esters that are thought to contaminate some edible oils could be a source of traces of glycidol in the diet.
These esters are formed during the deodorization step of edible oil refining, which uses vapor and high temperatures to remove impurities.
The reaction conditions in that step can allow monoglyceride and diglycerides (MAG, DAG) naturally present in the oil to rearrange into glycidyl fatty acid esters.
[12] Glycidol is an irritant of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and upper respiratory tract.