2-METHOXYETHANOL (METHYL CELLOSOLVE) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

2-METHOXYETHANOL (METHYL CELLOSOLVE)†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	109-86-4
Formula	C₃H₈O₂
Synonyms	ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; EGME; glycol monomethyl ether; 2-methoxyethanol; methyl cellosolve

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
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.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**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

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

2-METHOXYETHANOL (METHYL CELLOSOLVE)†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References