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

106     Human toxicity

106.1     Single dose toxicity
      3.1.1 Inhalation
      3.1.2 Eye irritation
106.2     Repeated dose toxicity
      106.2.1     Inhalation and dermal contact
      106.2.2     Oral intake
      106.2.3     Skin irritation and sensitisation
106.3     Toxicity to reproduction
106.4     Mutagenic and genotoxic effects
106.5     Carcinogenic effects
       

106.1     Single dose toxicity

3.1.1 Inhalation

Exposure by inhalation to 74 ppm (456 mg/m3) has been reported to be irritating to man (Ruth 1986 – quoted from A&H 1990).

3.1.2 Eye irritation

Application of 0.04 ml of a 20% aqueous solution of DPGME (approx. 7.5 mg) to one eye of ten male volunteers caused a minor stinging sensation accompanied by lachrymation and blepharospasm for about 1 min. Mild injection of the conjunctival vessels persisted for 30-40 min. A temporary increase of up to 33 % in intraocular tension (IOT) was observed. Normal IOT was recorded 1 hour after treatment. (Ballantyne 1983-84).

106.2     Repeated dose toxicity

106.2.1     Inhalation and dermal contact

DPGME has been suggested as one possible cause of bone marrow injury observed in seven lithographers working with multicolour offset and ultraviolet curing printing processes. Personal and area samples revealed air levels of 0.6 - 6.4 ppm (3.7 - 39.4 mg/m3) DPGME. Gloves were used only intermittently and frequent and prolonged skin contact with wash solutions occurred; no respiratory protective gear was used. Exposure to other solvents, e.g. ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, could not be excluded as the cause of bone marrow injury. (Cullen et al. 1983).

106.2.2     Oral intake

No data were found.

106.2.3     Skin irritation and sensitisation

Undiluted material was applied under patches to the backs of 100 men and 100 women for five days. Three weeks later, the material was applied to the subjects again, for a period of 48 h. In an additional test with repeated insult technique, 25 men and 25 women were treated 10 times, 4-8 h/day, every other day. Challenge was performed three weeks later for 24-48 h. No irritation or sensitisation occurred. (Rowe et al. 1954).

106.3     Toxicity to reproduction

No data were found.

106.4     Mutagenic and genotoxic effects

No data were found.

106.5     Carcinogenic effects

No data were found.