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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: (2-Methoxymethylethoxy)propanol; bis-(2-Methoxypropyl) ether; DPGME; Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether; Dowanol® 50B

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1014

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 34590-94-8

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: JM1575000

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more


Exposure Limits and Health Effects

Exposure Limit

Limit Values

HE Codes

Health Factors and Target Organs

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - General Industry
See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1

100 ppm
(600 mg/m3)
TWA

Skin

 HE3

Cardiac depression, liver changes

HE8

Central nervous system depression - narcosis
HE10

Changes in the lung

HE11

Respiratory arrest

OSHA PEL - Construction Industry
See 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A

100 ppm
(600 mg/m3)
TWA

Skin

 HE3

Cardiac depression, liver changes

HE8

Central nervous system depression - narcosis
HE10

Changes in the lung

HE11

Respiratory arrest

OSHA PEL - Shipyard Employment
See 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards

100 ppm
(600 mg/m3)
TWA

Skin

 HE3

Cardiac depression, liver changes

HE8

Central nervous system depression - narcosis
HE10

Changes in the lung

HE11

Respiratory arrest

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

100 ppm
(600 mg/m3)
TWA

150 ppm
(900 mg/m3)
STEL

Skin

HE7

Central nervous system effects - nausea, sleepiness

HE15

Eye and nose irritation

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (2001)

100 ppm
(606 mg/m3)
TWA

150 ppm
(909 mg/m3)
STEL

Skin

HE8

Central nervous system impairment - narcosis

HE15

Eye, nose, and throat irritation

CAL/OSHA PELs

100 ppm
(600 mg/m3) TWA

150 ppm
(900 mg/m3) STEL

Skin

HE8

Central nervous system impairment - narcosis

HE15

Eye, nose, and throat irritation

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 600 ppm

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

  1. DPGME is combustible, and above 74ºC, explosive vapor/air mixtures may form (NIOSH/IPCS 1999).
  2. A good correlation was found between inhalational exposure of floor lacquerers to DPGME and its excretion in urine during an 8-hour shift (Latinen et al. 2006).
  3. Exposure to DPGME may also occur by absorption through the skin (Venier et al. 2004).
  4. A study of eye irritation in rabbits and human volunteers indicated that DPGME also caused a transient increase in intraocular tension. A 40-µl droplet of 20% (v/v.) aqueous DPGME increased intraocular tension by 12-50%, which returned to baseline tension within an hour in most (9 of 10) volunteers (Ballantyne 1984).
  5. Used in water based cleaners.

Date Last Revised: 11/16/2012

Literature Basis:

  • ACGIH: Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - (2-Methoxymethylethoxy)Propanol. 2001.
  • Ballantyne, B.: Local ophthalmic effects of dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. J. Toxicol. Cut. Ocular Toxicol. 2(4-5): 229-242, 1984.
  • Laitinen, J., Liesivuori, J., and Harvima, R.: Evaluation of exposure to 1-alkoxy-2-propanols and 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol by the analysis of the parent compounds in urine. Toxicol. Lett. 162(2-3): 186-194, 2006.
  • NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether. 1978.
  • NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Dipropyleneglycol Monomethylether. October 20, 1999.
  • Venier, M., Adami, G., Larese, F., Maina, G., and Renzi, N.: Percutaneous absorption of 5 glycol ethers through human skin in vitro. Toxicol. In Vitro 18(5): 665-671, 2004.

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
    analytical solvent: (95:5) Methylene Chloride:Methanol
    maximum volume: 10 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 101)
    method classification: Fully Validated

Wipe Sampling Method:

  • sampling media: Charcoal pad
    note: Seal in glass vial for shipment

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