US EPA

1715078 

Book/Book Chapter 

Diphenyl Ether (Benzene, 1,1-oxybis) (1996) 

Laine, R 

1999 

Nordic Council of Ministries 

Copenhagen 

Health effects of selected chemicals 

4-5 

179-190 

is a chapter of 3160596 Health effects of selected chemicals

There was no evidence that diphenyl ether is a human health hazard under ordinary conditions of manufacture, handling or use. In the use as a heat transfer agent, leaks in the heating system frequently occur resulting in exposure of workers to diphenyl ether via inhalation. The outstanding odor and taste would cause contamination to be readily detected and also excessive ingestion unlikely. Diphenyl ether has a low oral and dermal toxicity. Undiluted diphenyl ether irritates skin, but the EC-irritation criteria are not met. However, if exposure is prolonged, the irritation may be severe. Animal data on eye irritation is incomplete. The mild eye irritation has not been scored according to EC-criteria. Subacute inhalation study revealed ocular and nasal irritation. Also the eutectic mixture containing diphenyl ether caused irritation of the respiratory tract and eye. Therefore classification as Xi; R 36/37/38 is proposed. Diphenyl ether showed no mutagenic activity. Pure diphenyl ether has not been tested for reproduction toxicity. Therminol VP-1 (the eutectic mixture of diphenyl ether (73.5%) and diphenyl (26.5%) was not embryotoxic, fetotoxic or teratogenic at maternal toxicity levels. The NOEL for maternal toxicity was 50 mg/kg body weight/day. 

ANIMAL; acute toxicity; subacute toxicity; chronic toxicity; irritancy; genetic toxicity; reproductive and developmental tests; skin; eye; respiratory system; HUMAN; hypersensitivity 

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