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Appendices 1-18 to: Report on the Health Effects of Selected Pesticide Coformulants

17   Toxicokinetics

Dimethyl ether (DME) is rapidly taken up via the lungs after inhalation or intratracheal administration (Eckard & Kemper 1979 - quoted from A&H 1995).

Pharmacokinetic studies in rats have shown that after inhalation DME is rapidly distributed to various organs and tissues. The steady state level is reached within 30 minutes. No tissue storage of DME was seen. (Daly & Kennedy 1987).

The DME content in various tissues after exposure to 1000 ppm (1900 mg/m³) in rats is reported to be 14-22 µg/g tissue. The DME concentrations in organs and tissues were reported to fall rapidly after termination of exposure, though somewhat more slowly in fat and muscle than in blood and other tissues. (Bohnenn 1979 - quoted from A&H 1995).

Elimination was described as a two-phase process. The half times in blood were reported to be 10 minutes for the a phase and 90 minutes for the b phase (Daly & Kennedy 1987).

No data on absorption, distribution or elimination of DME after oral intake or dermal contact were found.

17.1   Mode of action

No information is available on the mechanisms of DME in causing CNS effects and other physiological effects in humans or animals. 

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