Toxic material advisory report - 2-mercaptoethanol
A review of the animal toxicity data for 2-ME is presented. The results revealed that chronic inhalation exposures at a concentration of 6 mg/m/sup 3/ produced decreased oxygen consumption, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia. Comparison of acute toxicity data for 2-ME with data of structurally similar compounds suggests that 2-ME may be 2.3 times more toxic than butanethiol (TLV = 0.5 ppM), 6.5 times more toxic than ethanethiol, and 6 times more toxic than propanethiol (TLV = 0.5 ppM) via oral administration but may be comparable to propanethiol and less toxic than butanethiol and ethanethiol by the inhalation route of exposure. The TLVs for ethanethiol, methanethiol, and butanethiol were based on discomfort to human volunteers rather than toxicity. Since 2-ME has many effects similar to those of the thiols discussed and its odor threshold falls in the range of other thiols, by analogy the exposure limit for 2-ME should be comparable to the TLVs for butanethiol and ethanethiol. An interim exposure limit (IEL) of 0.5 ppM for a time-weighted average concentration during an 8-hour work shift is recommended. As with other thiols, a nuisance problem due to 2-ME odors and complaints of odor may serve as a primary reason for controlling workplace concentrations.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 5852580
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-51669; ON: DE83016966
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
THIOLS
TOXICITY
ACUTE EXPOSURE
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DATA COMPILATION
ETHANOL
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATION
METABOLISM
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ODOR
RECOMMENDATIONS
ALCOHOLS
DATA
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
SAFETY
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)
560305 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)