Chemical Name:

Diethylene Glycol

Formula:

(CH₂CH₂OH)₂O

CAS #:

111-46-6

Synonyms:

Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) Ether; Dihydroxydiethyl Ether; Beta,Beta'-Dihydroxydiethyl Ether; 2,2'-Dihydroxyethyl Ether; 2,2'-Oxydiethanol; Ethylene Diglycol; Diglycol; Glycol Ether; Glycol Ethyl Ether; 2-Hydroxyethyl Ether; 3-Oxapentane-1,5-Diol; 3-Oxa-1,5-Pentanediol; 2,2-Oxybisethanol; Brecolane NDG; Carbitol; Deactivator E; Deactivator H; DEG; Dicol; Dissolvant APV; TL4N

Exposure Limits:

TLV not established.

Uses:

This compound is used in the production of polyurethane, unsaturated polyester resins and triethylene glycol.  It is also used as a textile softener, in petroleum solvent extraction, in the dehydration of natural gas, as a plasticizer, in surfactants and as a solvent for nitrocellulose, resins, dyes, oils and many other organic compounds.  It is used as a humectant for tobacco, cork, printing ink and glue.  It is also used in casein, in synthetic sponges and paper products, in bookbinding adhesives, as a dyeing assistant, in cosmetics, in antifreeze solutions, in lacquers, in lubricants and in brake fluids.

Some consumer products that may contain Diethylene Glycol include:

Routes of Exposure:

Ingestion

Symptoms of exposure:

Symptoms of exposure to this compound include nausea and vomiting.  Other symptoms include headache, anuria, narcosis, cyanosis, tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension, stupor, prostration, hypoglycemia and unconsciousness.  Exposure can cause alcohol intoxication, muscle tenderness, pulmonary edema, convulsions and death.  It can also cause degenerative changes in the kidneys and liver, central nervous system depression, nephrotoxicity, abdominal pain, weakness, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, hypocalcemic tetany (rare), metabolic acidosis (rare), acute renal failure and brain damage.  Somnolence has been reported in children.

Target organs:

Eyes, skin, respiratory tract, central nervous system, liver, and kidneys

Effects of short-term exposure: 

The substance irritates the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Exposure may result in unconsciousness.

Effects of long-term exposure:

Special Warnings:

Poison by inhalation.  Moderately toxic to humans by ingestion. Moderately toxic experimentally by ingestion and intravenous routes. Mildly toxic by subcutaneous route.  An experimental carcinogen, tumorigen and teratogen.  An eye and human skin irritant.