2-Ethoxyethanol

Synonyms

2-Ethoxyethanol; 2-Ethoxyethyl alcohol; Bikanol E 1; Cellosolve; Cellosolve solvent; Dowanol 8; Dowanol EE; EGEE; Ektasolve EE; Emkanol; Ethanol, 2-ethoxy-; Ethyl cellosolve; Ethyl ethylene glycol; Ethylene glycol ethyl ether; Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether; Ethylethylene glycol; Glycol monoethyl ether; Hydroxy ether; Jeffersol EE; Oxitol; Plastiazan 60; Poly-Solv EE; RCRA waste number U359; Solvid; Solvulose; beta-Ethoxyethanol; [ChemIDplus] UN1171

Category

Glycol Ethers (E Series)

Description

Colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant, ether-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as an industrial solvent and anti-icing additive to aviation fuels; [ACGIH] Used as a solvent for coatings, inks, adhesives, textile dyes, lacquers, and epoxy resins; [HSDB] Not produced commercially in the EU; [Glycol Ethers Online]

Comments

Changes in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen are seen in mice after 7-hour lethal concentration studies. For ethylene glycol ethers, there is limited positive evidence of spontaneous abortions and decreased sperm counts in humans and strong positive evidence of birth defects and testicular damage in animals. [ATSDR Case Studies # 29] Labeled as "May impair fertility" and "May cause harm to the unborn child" by EU regulations; [Glycol Ethers Online] See "Glycol ethers."

Biomedical References

2-Ethoxyacetic acid in urine = 40 mg/g creatinine; end of shift at end of workweek;

Yes

5 ppm

200 ppm

2 ppm, sum of the concentrations of CAS 110-80-5 and its acetate in air

500 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other animal data: Some investigators have stated that at ordinary room temperatures substantially saturated atmospheres (i.e., about 6,000 ppm) will not produce serious injury in 1 hour [Waite et al. 1930]. \ Human data: Volunteers with some work experience reported that odor levels of 125 ppm were noticeable and that the odor level that would be intolerable was greater than 255 ppm [Clayton and Clayton 1982].

5.31 mm Hg

0.3 ppm

Odor Threshold High

24 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 2,000 ppm/7 hr

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 2.7 ppm); Flash point = 43 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

high ambient temp required

Aplastic anemia

Acute solvent syndrome

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
• Working with Glues and Adhesives