1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. 2-METHOXYETHANOL (METHYL CELLOSOLVE)
Label abbreviations descriptions

2-METHOXYETHANOL (METHYL CELLOSOLVE)†

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 109-86-4
Formula

C₃H₈O₂
Synonyms

ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; EGME; glycol monomethyl ether; 2-methoxyethanol; methyl cellosolve
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description Colorless liquid with a mild, ether-like odor.
Boiling point 256°F Molecular weight 76.1
Freezing point/melting point -121°F Vapor pressure 6 mmHg
Flash point 102°F Vapor density
Specific gravity 0.96 Ionization potential 9.60 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL) 1.8% Upper explosive limit (UEL) 14%
NFPA health rating 1 NFPA fire rating 2
NFPA reactivity rating 1 NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.) 0590
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media CSC tube (100/50 mg) [SKC 226-01]
Sampling time*
Sampling volume (TWA)*

10 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*

0.1 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*
 

 
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*
Analytical method instruments GC-FID
Method reference OSHA 53 (fully validated)
Notes
Special requirements
 

 

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
 

 
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions)
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA
 

25 ppm (80 mg/m³)

 REL-TWA
 

0.1 ppm (0.3 mg/m³)

 TLV-TWA
 

0.1 ppm [2005]

 PEL-TWA
 

5 ppm (16 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL
 

 

 REL-STEL
 

 

 TLV-STEL
 

 

 PEL-STEL
 

 
PEL-C
 

 

 REL-C
 

 

 TLV-C
 

 

 PEL-C
 

 
Skin notation
 

Y

 Skin notation
 

Y

 Skin notation
 

Y

 Skin notation
 

Y
Notes:
 

See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.

 Notes:
 

 

 Notes:
 

BEI®

 Notes:
 

 
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH
 

200 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: Notes:
 

 
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:
 

 
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Methyl Cellosolve

Literature References

 
  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - 2-Methoxyethanol. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • MMWR: Criteria for a recommended standard: occupational exposure to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and their acetates. Morbidity and mortality weekly report 41(21): 386, 1992.
  • Chang, H.-Y., Lin, C.-C., Shih, T.-S., Chan, H., Chou, J.-S. and Huang, Y.-S.: Evaluation of the protective effectiveness of gloves from occupational exposure to 2-Methoxyethanol using the biomarkers of 2-methoxyacetic acid levels in the urine and plasma. Occup. Environ. Med. 61(8): 697-702, 2004.
  • Cheever, K.L., et al.: 2-Methoxyethanol metabolism, embryonic distribution, and macromolecular adduct formation in the rat: the effect of radiofrequency radiation-induced hyperthermia. Toxicol. Lett. 122(1): 53-67, 2001.
  • Dhalluin, S., et al.: Apoptosis inhibition and ornithine decarboxylase superinduction as early epigenetic events in morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells exposure to 2-methoxyacetaldehyde, a metabolite of 2-Methoxyethanol. Toxicol. Lett. 105(2): 163-175, 1999.
  • El-Zein, R.A., Abdel-Rahman, S.Z., Morris, D.L. and Legator, M.S.: Exposure to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether: clinical and cytogenetic findings. Arch. Environ. Health 57(4): 371-376, 2002.
  • Groeseneken, D., Veulemans, H., Masschelein, R. and Van Vlem, E.: Experimental human exposure to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 61(4): 243-247, 1989.
  • Kežić, S., Mahieu, K., Monster, A.C. and de Wolff, F.A.: Dermal absorption of vaporous and liquid 2-Methoxyethanol and 2-ethoxyethanol in volunteers. Occup. Environ. Med. 54(1): 38-43, 1997.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1094-1096.
  • Saavedra, D., Arteaga, M. and Tena, M.: Industrial contamination with glycol ethers resulting in teratogenic damage. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 837: 126-137, 1997.

Last Updated Date : 09/21/2022