US EPA

4441892 

Journal Article 

Toxicology of Diethylene Glycol Butyl Ether 

Gingell, R; Boatman, RJ; Corley, RA; Knaak, JB; Rosica, KA; Wise, RC 

1996 

0 

Occupational Hygiene
ISSN: 1061-0251 

NIOSH/00234210 

2 

1 

1-6 

The toxicology of diethylene-glycol-mono-n-butyl-ether (112345) (DGBE) was reviewed. DGBE is acutely relatively nontoxic by all routes of exposure, and has low skin and eye irritation potential. No deaths occurred in rats exposed to 18 parts per million (ppm) DGBE by inhalation. A 90 day inhalation study in which rats were exposed to 14ppm showed no toxic effects. Other than slightly reduced pup weight during late lactation, no other reproductive or developmental disorders were noted in male and female rats administered gavage doses of up to 1000mg/kg/day and then mated with untreated animals. Rabbits dosed dermally with DGBE during gestation at doses up to 100mg/kg showed only a skin irritation at the site of application. The evidence suggests that, as for ethylene glycol ethers as a class, DGBE is not genotoxic. While the metabolism of DGBE has not been studied, the metabolism of its acetate ester, diethylene-glycol-monobutyl-ether-acetate (124174) (DGBA) has been studied; the metabolites of DBGA are the same as those of DGBE and the two materials are believed to have the same toxicity. DGBE was not excreted in the urine unchanged, but small amounts of the glucuronide conjugate were detected. The major metabolite was the acid metabolite. The authors note that realistic exposure assessments of human consumer users of DGBE in hard surface cleaners, and DGBE and DGBA in paints, indicate very small systemic doses would be achieved. The authors conclude that DGBE and DGBA are safe in consumer products when used as intended. 

RISK ASSESSMENT ETHERS PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; HUMAN ETHYLENE TOXICOLOGY