Triethylene glycol monoethyl ether

Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water or foam may cause frothing.

Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, powder, carbon dioxide.

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

LC50 /Pimephales promelas/ (Fathead minnow) >10,000 mg/mL/96 hr; static bioassay

LC50 Daphnia magna (Water flea, <24 hr old) >10,000 mg/L/48 hr; static, total hardness 55 mg/L CaCO3, alkalinity 36 mg/L CaCO3, pH 6.7, conductivity 250 uohms/cm

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of triethylene glycol monoethyl ether from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.8X10-14 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 0.01 mm Hg(4). Based on aqueous studies giving degradation ranges of 1%(5) to 100%(6) from 5 to 20 days, respectively, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is expected to biodegrade in soil.

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.8X10-14 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of -0.96(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is expected to biodegrade based on studies with degradation ranges of 1%(8) to 100%(9) from 5 to 20 days, respectively.

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, which has a vapor pressure of 0.01 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 8.5 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.5X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of triethylene glycol monoethyl ether can be estimated to be 10(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in groups of 10 Wistar male albino rats administered single doses of undiluted Poly Solv TE (triethylene glycol monoethyl ether) by oral gavage at levels of 5.0, 7.12, 10.14, and 14.43 g/kg of body weight. Mortality was observed in 1 animal in the 7.12 g/kg dose group, 9 animals in the 10.14 g/kg dose group and all animals in the highest dose group. The LD50 value was calculated to be 8.5 g/kg (7.7 to 9.2 g/kg 95% confidence limits) by the Horn method. Clinical observations included lethargy, ataxia, flaccidity, piloerection, and blood in the urogenital area. Gross necropsy of animals in the high dose group revealed dark lungs and liver, very red intestines, and yellow areas in the intestines.

Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in groups of 6 male rats (strain not reported) administered single doses of undiluted Dowanol TEH (triethylene glycol monoethyl ether) by oral gavage at levels of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.98 g/kg body weight. Mortality was not observed in any animal; an LD50 value was not reported. The clinical observation period was uneventful. Gross necropsy findings revealed no visible lesions.

Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in male albino rats (number, sex and strain not reported) administered single doses of ethoxy triglycol as a dispersion in 1% "Tergitol" 7 (50 g/ml) at unreported levels. Mortality was observed; the LD50 value was calculated by an unreported method to be 10.61 g/kg (9.98 to 11.28 g/kg). Clinical observations included /CNS depression/. Gross necropsy evaluation revealed pale kidneys, orange bile, congestion and swelling of the kidney and liver in decedents, survivors appeared normal.

Acute dermal toxicity was evaluated in 10 New Zealand white rabbits (sex not reported) receiving single occluded applications of undiluted Poly Solv TE (triethylene glycol monoethyl ether) at a dose level of 2.0 g/kg of body weight. The test article was held in contact with the skin (half intact and half abraded) for a 24 hour period. Mortality was not observed in any animal; an LD50 value was not reported. Clinical observations included erythema and edema. Gross necropsy examination revealed a mottled liver in 1 animal, pocked kidneys in 2 animals, and dark lung areas in 1 animal.

For more TSCA Test Submissions (Complete) data for TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOETHYL ETHER (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES/ Ethylene glycol ethers (EGEs) including diglyme are used in the manufacture of semiconductors. Epidemiological studies of semiconductor populations evaluated potential adverse reproductive outcomes. ... In each of these studies, workers were exposed to mixtures including diglyme but not to diglyme alone. ... Exposure to EGEs was determined using questionnaires from subjects about the work performed and an assessment of the work environment by industrial hygienists, but no measurements of personal or area exposures were made. Workers in the fabrication area were considered exposed to EGEs. For the retrospective study, information on pregnancy outcomes and potential confounders (age, smoking, ethnicity, education, income, year of pregnancy, and stress) was obtained through a comprehensive interviewer-administered interview of female employees. The prospective study of early fetal loss and fecundity (probability of conception per menstrual cycle) was conducted in a subset of female employees from five plants. Daily diaries and measurements of daily urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels for 6 months were collected in addition to the comprehensive interview. Of the 891 medically verified pregnancies identified for the retrospective study, 774 (86.9%) were live births, 113 (12.7%) were spontaneous abortions, and 4 (0.4%) were stillbirths. The overall unadjusted relative risk (RR) for spontaneous abortions was 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.05) and changed little after adjusting for confounders (adjusted RR =1.43; 95% CI = 0.95-2.09). When stratified by work group, the risk of spontaneous abortion was statistically significantly increased for female workers in the photolithography group (RR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.04-2.55) and in the etching group (RR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.27-3.19). For women working with higher levels of EGE only in masking, the risk for spontaneous abortion was increased 3-fold (RR = 3.38; 95% CI = 1.61-5.73). In the prospective study, no statistically significant differences were detected in the overall rate of spontaneous abortions between fabrication and non-fabrication workers or when pregnancy outcomes were examined by work group. However, the ability to conceive was lower among female workers exposed to EGEs (fertility rate [FR] = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.11-1.19). /Ethylene glycol ethers/

Triethylene glycol monoethyl ether's production and use as a component of brake fluid(1) and to a lesser extent as a solvent in lacquers and paints(2) and chemcial intermediate(3) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).

AEROBIC: In a mixture of triethylene glycol monoethyl ether and other higher homologs, BOD values 0, 7, and 8% of the theoretical BOD were reported for day 5, 10, and 20, respectively(1). A 5 day BOD test using acclimated mixed cultures resulted in an experimental BOD 69% that of the theoretical value(2). Triethylene glycol monoethyl ether was rapidly biodegraded in the BOD test with 38, 90, 94, and 100% degradation reported for 5, 10, 15, and 20 days, respectively(3). Filtered domestic fresh wastewater using non-acclimated seed gave biodegradation rates for triethylene glycol monoethyl ether of 8%, 47%, 63% and 71% in 5, 10,15 and 20 days, respectively(4). Filtered domestic salt wastewater using non-acclimated seed gave biodegradation rates for triethylene glycol monoethyl ether of 1%, 10%, 12% and 22% in 5, 10,15 and 20 days, respectively(4). A 5 day BOD test with effluent from a waste treatment plant at 20 °C and non-acclimated seed gave a BOD of 0.05 g/g which was 3% of theoretical value of 1.89 g/g(4).

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Triethylene glycol monoethyl ether is included on this list.

A testing consent order is in effect for triethylene glycol monoethyl ether for health effects testing. FR citation: April 3, 1989.