Evaluation of exposure to ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetates and their possible haematological effects on shipyard painters.

Abstract

Objectives-To evaluate exposure to mixed solvents containing ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (EGEEA) in shipyard painters, to determine if EGEEA is toxic to the bone marrow. Methods-An industrial hygiene survey was performed to identify exposure to EGEEA of two groups of shipyard painters, a low exposure group (n=30) and a high exposure group (n=27). Urinary ethoxyacetic acid and methyl hippuric acid as well as haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red cell indices, total and diVerential white blood cell counts (WBCs), and platelet count for the shipyard painters and the control subjects were measured. Results-The mean (range) exposure concentration (ppm) to EGEEA in the high and low exposure groups were 3.03 (not detectable to 18.27), 1.76 (not detectable to 8.12), respectively. The concentrations of methyl hippuric acid and ethoxyacetic acid in the high exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The mean WBCs in the high exposure group were significantly lower than in the control group, and a significant proportion, six (11%) of the 57 painters, were leucopenic; none of the controls were aVected. Conclusion-The high rate of possible haematological eVects among shipyard painters and a hygienic evaluation of their working environment in the present study suggests that EGEEA might be toxic to bone marrow. (Occup Environ Med 1999;56:378-382)

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether [MAK Value Documentation, 2008]

“…In this group, the concentration of EGEE acetate in the air was 1.8 ml/m 3 (geometric mean; maximum: 8.1 ml/m 3 ), the urinary ethoxyacetic acid concentration was 0.6 mg/g creatinine (0.7 mg/l urine) and the highest concentration was maximally 15 mg/g creatinine (18 mg/l urine). Coexposure included xylene (28 ml/m 3 ; maximum: about 250 ml/m 3 ) and toluene (12 ml/m 3 ; maximum: about 155 ml/m 3 ) (Kim et al 1999). The maximum urinary ethoxyacetic acid concentrations of 272 mg/l urine among the workers with higher exposure suggest that individual workers were exposed to a relatively high level.…”

Interactive effect of combined exposure to ethylene glycol ethers and ethanol on hematological parameters in rats

“…Other survey of male shipyard painters exposed to mixed solvents containing EE acetate suggests that this compound might be toxic to bone marrow [11], whereas in female workers chronically exposed to high concentrations of EE, average RBC and HGB levels were nor-mal [12]. In male workers exposed to low concentration of BE, a statistically significant decrease in PCV value and an increase in mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) value were observed [13].…”

Quantitative Assessment of Bone Marrow Cellularity by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Workers with Long-Term Exposure to Solvents.

“…EGMME is a hematotoxic solvent, which is widely used in the workplace [5][6][7][8][9] . The main feature of this disorder was isolated leukopenia of mild to moderate degree, mainly due to neutropenia, in peripheral blood combined with prominent hypocellularity of bone marrow 10) .…”