Which glycol ethers are toxic?

The glycol ethers are an important and widely used class of solvents. Recent studies have demonstrated that ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME), ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (EGdiME), ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE), and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (EGEEA) are teratogenic.

Why is ethylene glycol toxic?

Ethylene glycol’s toxicity mainly results from the accumulation of its toxic metabolites. Ethylene glycol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that produces acute effects similar to those of ethanol. These CNS effects predominate during the first hours after exposure.

Why is ethylene glycol toxic if taken internally?

The toxic mechanism of ethylene glycol poisoning is mainly due to the metabolites of ethylene glycol. Initially it is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to glycolaldehyde, which is then oxidized to glycolic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase. The increase in metabolites may cause encephalopathy or cerebral edema.

What are some of the effects of glycol ethers?

Acute (short-term) exposure to high levels of the glycol ethers in humans results in narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage. Chronic (long-term) exposure to the glycol ethers in humans may result in neurological and blood effects, including fatigue, nausea, tremor, and anemia.

What is glycol ether made of?

Glycol ethers are derived from either ethylene oxide (E-series) or propylene oxide (p-series) combined with an alcohol. Methoxyethanol is an E-series glycol ether derived from methanol and ethylene oxide. Other commonly used glycol ethers include ethoxyethanol, butoxyethanol, and methoxypropanol.

Are ethers toxic?

Toxicity. Acute: harmful by inhalation in high concentrations which can cause inebriation, sedation, unconsciousness and respiratory paralysis. Diethyl ether is irritating to the eyes, respiratory system and skin but these effects are usually reversible on removal of exposure.

What is propylene glycol toxicity?

Toxic effects include hyperosmolality, increased anion gap metabolic acidosis (due to lactic acidosis), acute kidney injury, and sepsis-like syndrome. Treatment of toxicity includes hemodialysis to effectively remove propylene glycol. Prevention is best achieved by limiting the dose of propylene glycol infused.

What causes methanol poisoning?

Methanol exposure can be extremely dangerous, with significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Methanol poisoning is most often due to accidental or intentional ingestions, and accidental epidemic poisonings due to distilling and fermenting errors and beverage contamination.

Is glycol ether toxic?

Most glycol ethers are water-soluble, biodegradable and only a few are considered toxic. One study suggests that occupational exposure to glycol ethers is related to low motile sperm count, a finding disputed by the chemical industry.

Why ethyl alcohol is used in methanol poisoning?

Abstract: Ethanol and fomepizole are used as antidotes for poisoning with ethylene glycol or methanol. Both ethylene glycol and methanol are metabolized by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Ethanol is a substrate for alcohol dehydrogenase and fomepizole is an inhibitor of this enzyme.