| Document ID (ISN) | 103924 |
| CIS number |
05-172 |
| Year |
2005 |
| Convention or series no. |
ECETOC Technical Report No.95
|
| Title |
The toxicology of glycol ethers and its relevance to man |
| Bibliographic information |
European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals, Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, Bte. 6, 1160 Bruxelles, Belgium, 4th ed., Feb. 2005. 202p. Illus. Approx. 1000 ref. Price: EUR 125.00. Profiles of 44 substances are provided on a companion CD-ROM (included). |
| Abstract |
Glycol mono-ethers are liquids that combine the solubility characteristics of ethers and alcohols since both functional groups are present. As a result, they are widely used in solvent applications, including formulations such as paints, inks and cleaning fluids. Non-solvent applications include anti-icing agents in jet fuel, hydraulic system fluids and chemical intermediates. Glycol ethers have a high potential to penetrate the skin (as a liquid or vapour) and this represents the dominant potential route of exposure. The majority of glycol ethers are of low acute toxicity; the main effect seen in laboratory animals at high doses is narcosis, typical of many solvents. Some glycol ethers are eye irritants. Numerous studies with glycol ethers show that they do not exhibit genotoxic activity. Glycol ether exposure has been associated with anaemia, leukaemia, granulocytopenia, increased risk of abortion or reduced sperm count in painters, but these effects could be confounded by simultaneous exposure to other chemicals. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
toxicology; glycol ethers |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
toxic effects; antifertility effects; leukaemia; eye irritation; report; anaemia; criteria document; solvents; abortion; animal experiments; narcotic effects; CD-ROM; glossary; skin absorption |
| Document type |
E - Books, reports, proceedings |
| Country / State or Province | Belgium |
| Subject(s) |
Toxic and dangerous substances
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Glycol ethers
Genetic factors in reaction to exposures
Toxicology
|
