2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol

Dermal absorption

Administrative data

Endpoint:

dermal absorption in vitro / ex vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1984

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

The study seems to follow main requirements of the OECD protocol although not all information is included in publication to judge if it is followed exactly. :The test substance was not radiolabelled therefore there was no attempt at a mass balance. Not enough raw data reported to meet protocol requirements. Some minor detail of experimental methods also lacking. However, information is considered robust enough to judge this study as reliable with restrictions.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Absorption of some glycol ethers through human skin in vitro

Author:

Dugard PH, Walker M, Mawdsley SJ, Scott RC

Year:

1984

Bibliographic source:

Env Hlth Persp, 57, 193-7

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 428 (Skin Absorption: In Vitro Method)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The study seems to follow main requirements of the OECD protocol although not all information is included in publication to judge if it is followed exactly.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol

EC Number:

203-906-6

EC Name:

2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol

Cas Number:

111-77-3

Molecular formula:

C5H12O3

IUPAC Name:

2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, DM
- Physical state: liquid
- Analytical purity: >98%
- Other: Source: ICI Petrochemicals and Plastics division, Wilton, UK

Radiolabelling:

no

Test animals

Species:

human

Strain:

other: not applicable

Sex:

not specified

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

no further data on source of skin.

Administration / exposure

Type of coverage:

other: not aplicable as study in vitro

Vehicle:

unchanged (no vehicle)

Duration of exposure:

8 hours

Doses:

Single

No. of animals per group:

not applicable

Control animals:

no

Details on study design:

See other information below.

Details on in vitro test system (if applicable):

SKIN PREPARATION
- Source of skin: Obtained post mortem, source unknown.
- Ethical approval if human skin: no data
- Type of skin: Abdominal whole skin
- Preparative technique: Subcutaneous fat removed, then immersed in water (60C, 45 seconds) to allow separation of epidermis. Discs then cut for diffusion cells (1.8cm2 absorption area).
- Membrane integrity check: By following time dependent diffusion of tritiated water before and after exposure to the substance. Skin samples showing a tritiated water permeability greater than 0.0015cm/hr over 6 hours were rejected.

PRINCIPLES OF ASSAY
- Solubility of test substance in receptor fluid: complete
- Static system: Yes
- Test temperature: 30C

Results and discussion

Signs and symptoms of toxicity:

not specified

Remarks:

not applicable

Dermal irritation:

not specified

Remarks:

not applicable

Absorption in different matrices:

not applicable

Total recovery:

not applicable

Any other information on results incl. tables

Steady state was achieved during the experiment after 1 hour. The permeability constant was calculated at 0.000206cm/hr with a rate of absorption of 206 (+/- 156)ug/cm2/hr, based on 11 determinations. The damage ratio (ratio of tritiated water permeability before and after exposure) was 3.16+/-1.77 (10 determinations) which is slightly in excess of the 1-2 figure for controls leading to the conclusion that the substance causes slight irreversible effects on skin barrier function.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Skin uptake could be a significant route of exposure, particularly relative to inhalation uptake

Executive summary:

An in vitro dermal absorption study using human skin showed that 2 -(2 -methoxyethoxy)ethanol is able to pass through the stratum corneum at a rate of 0.206mg/cm2/hr) and causes slight irreversible damage to the skin. There is a lag time of approximately less than 1 hour for the substance to cross the skin and appear in the receptor fluid.