Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Several acute toxicity studies have been performed or a read-across with ethylene-dimethylether was performed.
Oral:
- female rats, LD50: 4760 mg/kg bw
- female mice, LD50: 2978 mg/kg bw
Inhalation:
- male/female rats, LC0 (7h exposure): 11 mg/L -> 19.3 mg/L (4h calculated exposure)
- rats, LC50 (ethylene glycol dimethyl ether; 6h exposure): > 20 mg/L
Dermal:
- female rats, LD50 (ethylene glycol dimethyl ether): > 5000 mg/kg bw

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

4 760 mg/kg bw

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Value:

11 mg/L air

Quality of whole database:

obtained from 7 h exposure of a saturated atmosphere.

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

> 5 000 mg/kg bw

Additional information

Oral:

One key study plus supporting information is available in rats and mice for the acute oral toxicity of Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The most reliable LD₅₀determined was 4760 mg/kg bw for female Wistar rats. All results are shown in the “Short description of key information” field.

Inhalation:

One key study on Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether and supporting information on Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether is available for the acute inhalation toxicity in rats. The LC₀for 7 hours exposure is reported to be 11 mg/L (saturated atmosphere). This leads to a calculated LC₀value of 19.3 mg/L for 4 hours exposure. Additionally a study on Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether showed that the LC₅₀for 6 hour exposure is greater than 20 mg/L air.

Dermal:

There is one well performed and reported dermal toxicity study in female Wistar rats with Ethylene glycol dimethyl available. The LD₅₀was reported to be > 5000 mg/kg bw. The LD₅₀for Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether is derived from this structural analogue substance which exhibits a similar acute toxicity profile.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Due to the findings described above (LD₅₀oral in rats 4760 mg/kg bw, LC₀inhalatory in rats 19.3 mg/L, LD₅₀dermal in rats greater than 5000 mg/kg bw (determined for the structural analogue Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether)) there is no justification to classify diethylene glycol dimethyl ether as acute toxic.