2-Methoxyethanol: Health effects
Description
2-Methoxyethanol can effect you when breathed in or by passing through your skin. Short-term exposures may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Very high levels may cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded and to pass out. Long-term effects from exposure to 2-Methoxyethanol are possible kidney damage, damaged blood cells, and damaged testes in males. Repeated exposures may cause headaches, weakness, drowsiness, personality changes and tremors. 2-Methoxyethanol has been shown to be a teratogen in animal studies, and is a possible human teratogen. A teratogen is a substance that harms a foetus.
Entering the body
2-Methoxyethanol will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air or drink contaminated water. It can also pass through the skin.
Exposure
Workers in the industries that use or produce 2-Methoxyethanol are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to 2-Methoxyethanol by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using 2-Methoxyethanol. Consumers may also be exposed to 2-Methoxyethanol when using consumer products containing 2-Methoxyethanol, especially if there is not good ventilation. Household hard surface cleaners, Paints, varnishes, lacquers, and paint removers are some of the consumer products that may release 2-Methoxyethanol.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
For 2-Methoxyethanol it is allowable for workers to be exposed to concentrations in the air of 5 parts per million over an eight hour workshift. Worksafe Australia has determined that 2-Methoxyethanol may cause birth defects and be teratogenic (harm a foetus).
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