Diethyleneglycol (mono)alkylethers; evaluation of the effects on reproduction, recommendation for classification

Diethyleneglycol (mono)alkylethers are mainly used as solvents or intermediates. On request of the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, the Health Council of the Netherlands evaluates the effects on the reproduction of substances at the workplace. The Health Council’s Committee for compounds toxic to reproduction recommends to classify compounds toxic to reproduction according to the Directive 93/21/EEC of the European Union. In the present report the committee has reviewed the following three Diethyleneglycol (mono)alkylethers: diethyleneglycol (mono)methylether, diethylene-glycol (mono)ethylether and diethyleneglycol (mono)n-butylether.

The committees recommendations are:

• Diethyleneglycol (mono)methylether (DEGME)
  - For effects on fertility, the committee recommends not classifying DEGME on the basis of a lack of appropriate human data and sufficient animal data which show that no classification is indicated.
  - For developmental toxicity, the committee recommends classifying DEGME in category 2 (substances which should be regarded as if they cause developmental toxicity to humans) and labelling DEGME with T;R61.
  - For effects during lactation, the committee is of the opinion that due to a lack of appropriate data DEGME should not be labelled.

• Diethyleneglycol (mono)ethylether (DEGEE)
  - For effects on fertility, the committee recommends not classifying DEGEE on the basis of a lack of appropriate human data and sufficient animal data which show that no classification is indicated.
  - For developmental toxicity, the committee recommends not classifying DEGEE on the basis of a lack of appropriate human data and sufficient animal data which show that no classification is indicated.
  - For effects during lactation, the committee is of the opinion that due to a lack of appropriate data DEGEE should not be labelled.

• Diethyleneglycol (mono)n-butylether (DEGBE)
  - For effects on fertility, the committee recommends not classifying DEGBE on the basis of a lack of appropriate human data and sufficient animal data which show that no classification is indicated.
  - For developmental toxicity, the committee recommends not classifying DEGBE on the basis of a lack of appropriate human data and sufficient animal data which show that no classification is indicated.
  - For effects during lactation, the committee is of the opinion that due to a lack of appropriate data DEGBE should not be labelled.

Committee