2-Methoxyethanol
MAK-Begründung, Nachtrag
Andrea Hartwig1 (Vorsitz der Ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)MAK Commission2
1 Institut für Angewandte Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Lebensmittelchemie und Toxikologie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Geb. 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Deutschland
2 Ständige Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Deutschland
Abstract
The German Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission) re-evaluated the data for developmental toxicity and the derivation of the occupational exposure limit value (maximum concentration at the workplace, MAK value) for 2-methoxyethanol [109-86-4]. The MAK value was derived in analogy to the BAT value (biological tolerance value) for the metabolite methoxyacetic acid of 15 mg methoxyacetic acid/g creatinine. This concentration was extrapolated to a 2-methoxyethanol concentration in air using the findings of a volunteer study and toxicokinetic considerations. The MAK value of 1 ml/m3 was retained based on these results. The substance remains classified in Pregnancy Risk Group B because a risk for the developing foetus cannot be ruled out at exposure to the MAK value of 1 ml/m3. This was concluded based on embryo-/foetotoxic and teratogenic effects induced by the metabolite methoxyacetic acid in rats, mice, rabbits and monkeys. A 2-methoxyethanol concentration of 0.15 ml/m3 was derived for the workplace from the lowest NOAEC (no observed adverse effect concentration) of 3 ml/m3 for developmental toxicity induced in rabbits by 2-methoxyethanol; damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely at this concentration (the prerequisite for assignment to Pregnancy Risk Group C).
