1,2-Dimethoxyethane. Documentation of proposed values of occupational exposure limits (OELs)
Journal Title: Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy - Year 2016, Vol 32, Issue 3
Abstract
1,2-Dimethoxyethane (EGDMA, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, monoglym) belongs to the group of alkyl ether solvents. Under normal conditions, it is a colorless, volatile liquid with a faint odor of ether and is very soluble in water.Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany has submitted a proposal to the European Chemical Agency on recognizing 1,2-dimethoxyethane as a substance of very high concern because of its harmful effects on reproduction.1,2-Dimethoxyethane is produced in Europe in the amount of >1000 t/year. It is a modern and oxygenated solvent commonly used as an ingredient of paints and varnishes, motor fluids and products for cleaning and degreasing. It is also used as a solvent for alkali metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, palladium and it is also used as a solvent for electrolyte lithium batteries and lithium battery recycling.There are no data on the acute and chronic toxicity of 1,2-dimethoxyethane at humans in the available literature. A report from the US Department of Transportation describes that the inhalation of vapors of 1,2-dimethoxyethane may cause dizziness, breathing difficulties and in the case of ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness (concentrations and doses of a compound not specified).On the basis of chemical structure of 1,2--dimethoxyethane and its metabolism it can be assumed that this substance can be harmful to hematopoietic system, but there are no data on the effect in humans. Based on epidemiological studies on overall exposure to glycol alkyl ethers it can be noted that the effects observed in humans after the exposure to ethylene glycol alkyl ethers were related to adverse effects on hematological parameters, fertility and fetal development.1,2-Dimethoxyethane metabolizes mainly to 2-methoxyethanol, next by the enzymatic oxidation to 2-methoxyacetic acid (MAA). 2-Methoxyethanol is a substance which can cause hemolytic anemia and can be harmful to reproduction and development of human fetuses.The LD50 value after oral administration of 1,2--dimethoxyethane is 2525–4000 mg/kg bw, LC50 value is between 20 mg/l and 63 mg/l, while the LD50 value after dermal administration is in the range of 1000–2000 mg/kg bw.Data on mutagenicity of ether are inconclusive. In Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro, 1,2-dimethoxyethane induced sister chromatid exchange. No data were found on the carcinogenicity of ether or its metabolite 2-methoxyethanol.On the basis of the analysis of experimental results on laboratory animals it can be concluded that the critical effect of 1,2-dimethoxyethane influences reproduction and development of offsprings. Histopathological changes in seminiferous epithelium and spermatogenesis disorders, aspermia and oligospermia were observed in rats and rabbits exposed by inhalation to 1,2--dimethoxyethane. Exposing female rats, rabbits and mice to 1,2-dimethoxyethane during organogenesis caused a toxic effect on an embryo (mortality), a reduction in body weight in fetuses, a delay in ossification and growth, an increase of malformations and cardiovascular changes.In Poland the MAC value of 1,2-dimethoxyethane is not established. From the European Union countries, Latvia established the OEL at 10 mg/m3. In Canada, the tolerable exposure level is 18 mg/m3. The Ferro Corporation is the largest producer of glycol ethers and it recommends the tolerable occupational exposure to glycol ethers at 18.7 mg/m3 (5 ppm calculated as EGDMA) (TWA) and the short-term value (STEL) of 93.5 mg/m3 (25 ppm as EGDMA). For women in the reproductive age, the Ferro Corporation recommends values for the glycol ethers as TWA - 3.74 mg/m3 (1 ppm as EGDMA) and STEL – 18.7 mg/m3 (5 ppm calculated as EGDMA).The NOAEC value of 187 mg/m3 determined for rabbits on the basis of changes in the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules (2-week inhalation exposure, OECD 412) was used To calculate MAC values. After applying uncertainty factors, the proposed limit value for 1,2-dimethoxyethane is 10 mg/m3. STEL value was not established. The substance was labeled with Ft (a substance toxic to a fetus) and skin (absorption of substances through the skin can be similarly important as inhalation).It should be emphasized that women in the reproductive age should not be employed at workstations where 1,2-dimethoxyethane is used. This contraindication should be included in the regulation of the minister of health on conducting medical tests of employees, scope of preventive health care for employees and medical certificates issued for purposes provided in the Labour Code.
Authors and Affiliations
Małgorzata Kupczewska-Dobecka
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