Toxicity review of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and its acetate ester

Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and its acetate ester (EGMEA) are h ighly flammable, colorless, moderately volatile liquids with very good solu bility properties. They are used in paints, lacquers, stains, inks and surf ace coatings, silk-screen printing, photographic and photo lithographic pro cesses, for example, in the semiconductor industry, textile and leather fin ishing, production of food-contact plastics, and as an antiicing additive i n hydraulic fluids and jet fuel. EGME and EGMEA are efficiently absorbed by inhalation as well as via dermal penetration. Dermal absorption may contribute substantially to the total u ptake following skin contact with Liquids or vapours containing EGME or EGM EA. EGMEA is rapidly converted to EGME in the body and the two substances a re equally toxic in animals. Therefore, the two substances should be consid ered as equally hazardous to man. Effects on peripheral blood, testes, and sperm have been reported at occupa tional exposure levels ranging between 0.4 and 10 ppm EGME in air, and with additional, possibly substantial, dermal exposure. Severe malformations an d disturbed hematopoiesis have been linked with exposure to EGME and EGMEA at unknown, probably high, levels. Embryonic deaths in monkeys and impaired spermatogenesis in rabbits have been reported after daily oral doses of 12 and 25 mg per kg body weight, respectively. In several studies, increased frequency of spontaneous abortions, disturbed menstrual cycle, and subferti lity have been demonstrated in women working in the semiconductor industry. The contribution of EGME in relation to other exposure factors in the semi conductor industry is unclear.