Biological Effects Summary Report: Polyethylene Glycol

摘要

An evaluation of the health effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was made to assess its potential use as a substitute for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, which is used as test aerosol in quantitative fit testing of respirators. The polyethylene glycols of primary interest are those whose average molecular weights are between 200 and 600. PEG has a very low acute and chronic toxicity in animals. Toxic effects to the kidney resulting from high doses have been observed in laboratory animals and in burn patients whose injured skin was treated topically with PEG. It is unlikely that healthy people exposed to test aerosols of PEG would encounter such risks particularly at such low concentrations. No significant adverse effects from PEG have been observed in inhalation toxicology studies, carcinogen testing, or mutagen assays. Since the PEGs present no significant health hazard in the workplace, only a nuisance dust exposure limit of 10 mg/m exp 3 for total dust and 5 mg/m exp 3 for respirable dust is recommended. No standard for protection of human health is deemed warranted at this time. Therefore, PEG 400 may be used safely for quantitative fit testing of respirators without concern for adverse effects in healthy subjects. (ERA citation 09:019199)