Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether

Synonyms

2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol; 3,6-Dioxa-1-heptanol; DEGME; Diethylene glycol methyl ether; Diethyleneglycol monomethyl ether; Diglycol monomethyl ether; Dowanol 16; Dowanol DM; EGME, di-; Ektasolve DM; Ethanol, 2,2'-oxybis-, monomethyl ether; Ethanol, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-; Ethylene diglycol monomethyl ether; Jeffersol DM; MECB; Methoxydiglycol; Methyl carbitol; Methyl digol; Methyl dioxitol; Methyl karbitol [Czech]; Poly-Solv DM; beta-Methoxy-beta'-hydroxydiethyl ether; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Glycol Ethers (E Series)

Description

Colorless liquid; [Hawley] Hygroscopic; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used as a solvent for wood stains, lacquers, inks, textile dye pastes, paints, waxes, dyes, and nitrocellulose resins; Also used in brake fluid, aviation fuel anti-icing additive, and inert ingredient in pesticides; [HSDB] Used as an intermediate; [Hawley] Not produced commercially in the EU; [Glycol Ethers Online]

Comments

Defats the skin; Can be absorbed through the skin; "Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxicity to human reproduction or development." [ICSC] Labeled as "May impair fertility" and "May cause harm to the unborn child" by EU regulations; [Glycol Ethers Online] Readily oxidizes in air forming unstable peroxides that can spontaneously explode; May cause eye irritation; [CAMEO] An irritant; [MSDSonline] See "GLYCOL ETHERS."

Biomedical References

50 mg/m3

0.25 mm Hg

LC (rat) > 2,000 mg/m3/1h

Explanatory Notes

VP from ChemIDplus;

high ambient temp required

Acute solvent syndrome

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

Yes

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)
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)