Diglycidyl ether

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

Use water spray, powder, foam, carbon dioxide.

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .

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

Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

Caution: Diglycidyl ether can cause permanent injury via oral and inhalation exposure.

(General first aid procedures)

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.

Diglycidyl ether is to be regarded as hazardous cmpd, and personnel should be protected from all contact with liquid or its vapor.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

Where there is any possibility of a worker's body being exposed to DGE, facilities for quick drenching of the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use. ...

Where there is any possibility of a worker's eyes being exposed to DGE, an eye-wash fountain should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use. ...

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for DIGLYCIDYL ETHER (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that diglycidyl ether is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of diglycidyl ether from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.3X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Epoxides in general hydrolyze rapidly at 25 °C and pH 7(4) through neutral, acid, or base-mediated reactions(5). Diglycidyl ether may volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.9 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(6). Biodegradation data were not available(SRC, 2006).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that diglycidyl 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 1.3X10-8 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 8.5X10-1(6), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Epoxides in general hydrolyze rapidly at 25 °C and pH 7(7) through neutral, acid, or base-mediated reactions(8). Hydrolysis products are usually the corresponding diol and sometimes re-arranged products(8). While data specific to diglycidyl ether were not located(SRC, 2006), the hydrolysis half-life for an analogous compound glycidyl alcohol is 28 days at pH 7(7). Biodegradation data were not available(SRC, 2006).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), diglycidyl ether, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.9 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase diglycidyl 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 1.1 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.5X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC), that was derived using a structure estimation method(3).

Reproductive Toxin - A chemical that is toxic to the reproductive system, including defects in the progeny and injury to male or female reproductive function. Reproductive toxicity includes developmental effects. See Guidelines for Reproductive Toxicity Risk Assessment.

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Dizziness. Shortness of breath. Sore throat. Unconsciousness. Weakness.

MAY BE ABSORBED! Dry skin. Redness. Roughness. Skin burns. Pain. Blisters.

Redness. Pain. Blurred vision.

Nausea. Vomiting.

irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; skin burns; In Animals: hematopoietic system, lung, liver, kidney damage; reproductive effects; [potential occupational carcinogen]

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

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Short-term (acute): Exposure to DGE can cause skin burns and severe irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Long-term (chronic): Exposure to DGE can cause dermatitis and skin sensitization.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Inhalation: Dizziness. Shortness of breath. Sore throat. Unconsciousness. Weakness. Skin: ... Dry skin. Redness. Roughness. Skin burns. Pain. Blisters. Eyes: Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. Ingestion: Nausea. Vomiting.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Effects observed in man. Skin burns, slow in healing. Acute irritation of eyes and respiratory tract.

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ Dermal contact is the usual mode of exposure, but droplets in mist can also attack the eyes and respiratory tract. Glycidyl and diglycidyl ethers tend to be irritants and sensitizing agents. /Glycidyl and diglycidyl ethers/

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ /Diglycidyl ether/ exhibits radiomimetic effects following acute and chronic exposure as evidenced by depression of bone marrow and other rapidly growing cells.

An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated for diglycidyl ether(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of -0.85(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

The Henry's Law constant for diglycidyl ether is estimated as 1.3X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that diglycidyl ether is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2). Diglycidyl ether's Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may not occur(SRC). Diglycidyl ether is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.9 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ ... Liquid ... causes severe but reversible corneal injury in rabbits ... applied as drop. It is also very irritating to skin. ... Rabbits exposed to 20 to 27 ppm ... in air for 4 hr showed complete loosening of corneal epithelium from stroma. But epithelium subsequently regenerated normally ... .

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ After a single application of 1.13 g/kg DGE to the shaved dorsal skin of male New Zealand rabbits (weight 1.9-4.2 kg), a significant reduction (p<0.001) was found in the number of leukocytes and in the hemoglobin level on the sixth day of the investigation. All rabbits showed weight loss. A few hours after the application, skin edema with subsequent induration and staining of the skin occurred.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Autopsy /of rabbit after iv injection/ showed severe congestion of the lungs, congestion of patchy ischemia of the liver, slight ischemia of the kidneys, and ascites. Single injections of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg had an effect on the peripheral blood cell counts and cell morphology. These consisted of leukopenia due to a decrease of polynuclear cells, the duration of which increased with the dose. In animals given 100 mg/kg, an increase was observed in nucleated red blood cells which appeared 7 days after injection. In surviving animals there was eventually a full recovery.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ The immediate effects of vapor were few and due to irritation of the mucosal membranes; however, after removal from the chamber within 24 hr the rabbits showed cloudy corneas as well as irritation of the mucous membranes and the skin. High vapor exposure (113 ppm) in rats also caused dyspnea. Necropsy showed lung congestion, granular, discolored livers, enlarged kidneys, and prominent adrenals. At single 24-hr vapor exposures of rabbits (to 3, 6, 12, and 24 ppm) the morphology of the blood cells was not affected at the 3 and 6 ppm level; at 12 ppm a possible thrombocytosis was noted; and at 24 ppm there was a marked leukocytosis preterminally. At 3 ppm there was still clear evidence of mucous membrane irritation, which became very severe at the highest level.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for DIGLYCIDYL ETHER (18 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

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. Oxirane, 2,2'-(oxybis(methylene))bis- is included on this list.

Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Diglycidyl ether is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 1,000 lbs.