Ethylene toxicity

Ethylene is an important urban pollutant that is emitted from motor vehicle exhausts. It is a particularly interesting air pollutant insofar as it is a plant hormone. Plants exhibit symptoms of ethylene toxicity at concentrations as low as 10 ppb. Typical effects include reductions in growth, flowering and fruit production and premature ageing. Moreover, ethylene contributes to the generation of urban atmospheric O3. 

CH3 CH0H CH20H, a colourless, almost odourless liquid. It has a sweet taste, but is more acrid than ethylene glycol b.p. 187. Manufactured by heating propylene chlorohydrin with a solution of NaHCO under pressure. It closely resembles dihydroxyethane in its properties, but is less toxic. Forms mono-and di-esters and ethers. Used as an anti-freeze and in the preparation of perfumes and flavouring extracts, as a solvent and in... 

Effects of repeated ethylene glycol peroral overexposure in treated rats and mice can result in kidney, Hver, and nervous system damage. The most sensitive indicators of ethylene glycol toxicity are disturbances in acid—base balance and nephrotoxic (kidney) effects. Effects of repeated chronic peroral overexposure of diethylene glycol in treated rats result in kidney and Hver damage (48). 

Poly(ethylene oxide) resins are safely used in numerous pharmaceutical and personal-care appHcations. Poly(ethylene oxide) resins show a low order toxicity in animal studies by all routes of exposure. Because of their high molecular weight, they are poorly adsorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and completely... 

Significant use properties of poly(ethylene oxide) are complete water solubiHty, low toxicity, unique solution rheology, complexation with organic acids, low ash content, and thermoplasticity. 

Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications. On account of its low toxicity and unique properties, poly(ethylene oxide) is utilized in a variety of pharmaceutical and biomedical appHcations. 

It is necessary to determine the bioburden and make cycle verification studies when ethylene oxide sterilization is used, as it is for other sterilization methods. The manufacturer of hospital sterilization equipment provides cycle recommendations based on the expected bioburden and the consideration of an appropriate safety factor. In ethylene oxide sterilization, it is necessary to determine if residues of the stefilant are absorbed by the sterilized article, and to examine the possible formation of other potentially toxic materials as a result of reaction with ethylene oxide. 

The acute toxicities of various sulfates have been reported (126). Generally, dimethyl sulfate (LD q 440 mg/kg in rats) is more toxic than diethyl sulfate (LD q 880—1412 mg/kg in rats), which is more toxic than dibutyl sulfate (lowest observed toxic dose, 9500 mg/kg in rats). Ethylene sulfate is more toxic than dimethyl sulfate (40). 

The toxicity of antifreeze and deicing fluids is predorninantly a function of the main component, the freezing point depressant. Eor ethylene glycol-based fluids, the toxicity is well-defined, as the toxicity of ethylene glycol has been studied extensively because of its wide usage in varied appHcations (16). 

Butyl glycol ethers, the largest volume derivatives of -butyl alcohol used ia solvent appHcations (10), are obtained from the reaction of 1-butanol with ethylene oxide. The most important of these derivatives, 2-butoxyethanol, is used principally ia vinyl and acryHc paints as well as ia lacquers and varnishes. It is also employed ia aqueous cleaners to solubilize organic surfactants. 2-Butoxyethanol [111-76-2] has achieved some growth at the expense of the lower alkoxyethanols (ie, methoxy and ethoxyethanol) because of 2-butoxyethanol s lower toxicity. 

Often poly(ethylene glycol)s or derivatives thereof can be used instead of crowns or onium salts advantageously, although their catalytic activity frequently tends to be somewhat lower. The possible toxicity of crowns and cryptands and the price difference between these compounds and onium salts (100 1 to 10 1) are other important factors to be considered. Thus (1) [17455-13-9] (2) [14187-32-7] and (3) [16069-36-6] and cryptands are used more often in laboratory work, whereas onium salts are more important for industrial processes. 

Toxicity of 2-Ghloroethanol. Ethylene chlorohydrin is an irritant and is toxic to the Hver, kidneys, and central nervous system. In addition, it is rapidly absorbed through the skin (73). The vapor is not sufficiently irritating to the eyes and respiratory mucous membranes to prevent serious systemic poisoning. Contact of the Hquid in the eyes of rabbits causes moderately severe injury, but in humans corneal bums have been known to heal within 48 hours. Several human fataUties have resulted from inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion. One fatahty was caused by exposure to an estimated 300 ppm in air for 2.25 hours. In another fatal case, autopsy revealed pulmonary edema and damage to the Hver, kidneys, and brain (73). 

The organic accelerator most frequendy used is ethylene thiourea. However, concerns about the toxicity of this material have led to its use as a dispersion ia an iaert elastomer, or to replacement by other materials. 

Polymers. Studies to determine possible exposure of workers to residual epichl orohydrin and ethylene oxide monomers in the polymers have been done. Tests of warehouse air where Hydrin H and Hydrin C are stored showed epichl orohydrin levels below 0.5 ppm. Air samples taken above laboratory mixing equipment (Banbury mixer and 6" x 12" mill) when compounds of Hydrin H or C were mixed gave epichl orohydrin levels below detectable limits, and ethylene oxide levels less than 0.2 ppm, well below permissible exposure limits (46). A subacute vapor inhalation toxicity study in which animals were exposed to emission products from compounded Parel 58 suggests that no significant health effects would be expected in workers periodically exposed to these vapors (47). 

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