Biomaterial Database

Clinical toxicology of ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers. 1994

R G Browning, and S C Curry

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Department of Medical Toxicology, Phoenix, Arizona 85006.

The glycol ethers constitute a family of organic solvents commonly found in industrial and household products. Because of their widespread availability and potential for serious toxicity, physicians should be aware of the clinical toxicology of these compounds. Until recently, knowledge of the toxic effects of glycol ethers has been derived from animal studies and a limited number of case reports and small case series. A growing body of data from epidemiological studies, controlled human studies, and studies using human tissue now allows for advancement in the understanding of the acute and chronic toxicity of these compounds. This review summarizes and evaluates human and pertinent animal literature on the clinical toxicology of glycol ethers, with a focus on the commonly encountered monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol. Management options for acute poisoning, as well as measures for the control of workplace exposures, are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D012098	Reproduction	The total process by which organisms produce offspring. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Human Reproductive Index,Human Reproductive Indexes,Reproductive Period,Human Reproductive Indices,Index, Human Reproductive,Indexes, Human Reproductive,Indices, Human Reproductive,Period, Reproductive,Periods, Reproductive,Reproductive Index, Human,Reproductive Indices, Human,Reproductive Periods
D001769	Blood	The body fluid that circulates in the vascular system (BLOOD VESSELS). Whole blood includes PLASMA and BLOOD CELLS.
D002490	Central Nervous System	The main information-processing organs of the nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges.	Cerebrospinal Axis,Axi, Cerebrospinal,Axis, Cerebrospinal,Central Nervous Systems,Cerebrospinal Axi,Nervous System, Central,Nervous Systems, Central,Systems, Central Nervous
D004987	Ethers	Organic compounds having two alkyl or aryl groups bonded to an oxygen atom, as in the formula R1–O–R2.
D005026	Ethylene Glycols	An ethylene compound with two hydroxy groups (-OH) located on adjacent carbons. They are viscous and colorless liquids. Some are used as anesthetics or hypnotics. However, the class is best known for their use as a coolant or antifreeze.	Dihydroxyethanes,Ethanediols,Glycols, Ethylene
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000042	Absorption	The physical or physiological processes by which substances, tissue, cells, etc. take up or take in other substances or energy.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia