Propane-1,2-diol – inhalable fraction and vapours. Documentation of proposed values of occupational exposure limits (OELs)
Journal Title: Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy - Year 2016, Vol 32, Issue 3
Abstract
Propane-1,2-diol (propylene glycol) is a colorless, strongly hygroscopic liquid used to produce antifreezes, polyester resins and detergents. It is used in the plastics industry as a hygroscopic agent, in textile products and in manufacturing cigarettes (for adjusting moistness of tobacco) and as the major component of the liquid used in electronic cigarettes. In the industry, it is used to produce electrical insulating varnishes, brake fluids, auxiliary materials for foundry, resins and adhesives. In the space technologies, propane-1,2-diol is used as a coolant or coolant component. Propylene glycol is also used in the cosmetic industry (as a component of creams, an additive to toothpastes and mouth rinses, the main ingredient in deodorant stick), medicine, pharmacy, food and in cleaning products. Nowadays, propylene glycol is not produced in Poland, however, it is produced by dozens of European companies, including German, Belgian, Dutch, British, Irish, Finnish and Spanish. Due to the wide use of propylene glycol in many industries in the production of various products, including those manufactured in Poland, the number of people exposed to it in the workplace can be significant. In Poland, normative hygienic values for propylene glycol have not been established so far.Propylene glycol is not classified as dangerous substance according to the criteria of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP). In literature, there are no data on cases of acute poisoning with propylene glycol in working conditions. Clinical observations of people treated with propylene glycol as a solvent for drugs show a weak narcotic effect, mild irritation to the skin and conjunctiva of the eye especially during prolonged exposure and sensitization especially in sensitive individuals.Animal studies have shown mild irritation under repeated exposure. The use of different techniques of sensitization with propylene glycol of guinea pigs did not cause sensitization.The results obtained from animal studies on chronic toxicity of food and inhalation of propylene glycol show low-toxicity of this compound. Propylene glycol did not cause any harmful consequences in the described experimental conditions with the exception of changes in the image of peripheral blood. After administration of high doses/concentrations of glycol in animals, signs of liver damage and changes in the image of the peripheral blood but without evidence of damage to the bone marrow and spleen were observed. There was no mutagenic activity in propylene glycol in tested strains of Salmonella Typhimurium and studies on mammalian cells. The experimental results indicate that propylene glycol does not display fetotoxicity and does not affect the reproduction when concentrations are non-toxic for a mother. The literature did not provide convincing evidence that propylene glycol can cause teratogenic effects in the offspring of exposed animals. There was no increase in the number of cancer in cases of mice which had propylene glycol applied to the skin for 120 weeks and rats which received propylene glycol in food in chronic conditions.A systemic action was considered in determining the normative hygiene of propylene glycol. The value of the maximum permissible concentration of propylene glycol were calculated on the basis of data from tests on rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and rats which were exposed by inhalation to the vapor of this compound in concentrations from 10 to 348 mg/m3 (monkeys) and from 171 to 348 mg/m3 (rat) for 13–18 months. Based on the experimental NOAEC value (no observed adverse effect concentration) of propylene glycol for both species, limit value for inhalable fraction and vapor of 100 mg /m3 was proposed. The proposed value of the normative hygiene should protect workers from the irritation of propylene glycol and from possible systemic action. There is no reason to label normative as skin (the absorption of substances through the skin can be just as important as the inhalation).
Authors and Affiliations
Renata Soćko
Keywords
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