ILO Home
Go to the home page
Site map | Contact us Français | Español

CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)55533
CIS number 91-566
ISBN(s) 92-4-157115-2
Year 1990
Convention or series no. Environmental Health Criteria 115
Author(s)
International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)
Title 2-Methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, and their acetates
Bibliographic information World Health Organization, Distribution and Sales Service, 1211 Genève 27, Switzerland, 1990. 126p. Bibl. Price: CHF 15.00; developing countries: CHF 10.50.
Abstract Information on the toxic effects of these 4 glycol ethers on humans is limited. There are reports of poisoning following ingestion of 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) and 2-ethoxyethanol (2-EE), while repeated exposure of workers has resulted in anaemia, leucopenia, general weakness, ataxia and immunological effects. Haematological effects of glycol ethers have been documented and bone marrow toxicity has been reported in workers exposed dermally to 2-ME. Epidemiological studies have shown some evidence of adverse effects on the male reproductive system, with an increased frequency of adverse sperm counts. Detailed summaries in French and Spanish.
Descriptors (primary) ethoxyethanol; IPCS; WHO; glycol ethers; hazard evaluation; 2-ethoxyethyl acetate; 2-methoxyethyl acetate; toxicology; methoxyethanol
Descriptors (secondary) poisoning; literature survey; antifertility effects; criteria document; UNEP; bone marrow diseases; haematological effects; ILO
Document type E - Books, reports, proceedings
Subject(s) Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Risk evaluation
Glycol ethers
Esters and salts
Genetic factors in reaction to exposures