Military Decontaminating agents:

ethylene glycol monomethyl ether! CH3OCH2CH2OH
How similar is this to
ethylene glycol monobutyl ether? C6H14O2/CH3(CH2)2CH2OCH2CH2OH

and then there's
diethylene glycol monobutyl ether C8H18O3/CH2(CH2)3OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH DGME

Bad, Worse, and Worser

Quote:
Decontaminating agents:
ethylene glycol monomethyl ether

The U.S. General Accounting Office: 21 teratogens and reproductive toxicants that were present in the Gulf War environment.  They include
Oil fires and soil:
arsenic, benzene, benzopyrene, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, toluene, xylene, di-n-butyl phthalate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachloroethane
pentachlorophenol, hexachlorocyclopentadiene

Pesticides:
carbaryl, diazinon, dichlorvos, ethanol, lindane, warfarin,

Decontaminating agents:
ethylene glycol monomethyl ether

I'm afraid I do not have any additional information about the agents you refer to below and its relationship to adverse reproductive events aside from the Gulf War troops. In fact, I no longer conduct research on birth defects since I left the Naval Health Research Center for my current faculty position.

Sincerely,

Maria Rosario (Happy) Araneta, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of California
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
Department of Pediatrics


Where did you get this info?

I've been wondering what they used to 'decontaminate' with - even before gulf war

www.valdezlink.com/gwv/chad4.htm

Do you know what percentage?
Please refer to the following reports from the US General Accounting Office:

http://archive.gao.gov/t2pbat2 /152284.pdf

I do not know the volume or concentration of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether used.

 

Birth defects & loss of a child - 

EBGE discussion forum

Chemical Database

Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether

Identifications

  • Formula: CH3OCH2CH2OH
    Elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
  • CAS Number: 109-86-4
  • UN/NA ID: UN1188
  • CCOHS Record Number: 401
  • RTECS Number: KL5775000
  • Synonyms:
    • 02-Methoxyethanol
    • 1-Hydroxy-2-methoxyethane
    • 2-ME
    • 2-Methoxy-1-ethanol
    • 2-Methoxy-aethanol
    • 2-Methoxy-aethanol (GERMAN)
    • 2-Methoxyethanol
    • 2-Metossietanolo
    • 2-Metossietanolo (ITALIAN)
    • Aethylenglykol-monomethylaether
    • Aethylenglykol-monomethylaether (GERMAN)
    • beta-Methoxyethanol
    • Dowanol 7
    • Dowanol EM
    • EGM
    • EGME
    • EGMME
    • Ethanol, 2-methoxy-
    • Ether monomethylique d'ethyleneglycol
    • Ether monomethylique de l'ethylene-glycol
    • Ether monomethylique de l'ethylene-glycol (FRENCH)
    • Ethylene glycol methyl ether
    • Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether
    • Ethylene glycol, monomethyl ether
    • Ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether
    • Glycol ether EM
    • Glycol monomethyl ether
    • Glycolmethyl ether
    • Jeffersol EM
    • Methoxyethanol
    • Methoxyethanol (non-specific name)
    • Methoxyhydroxyethane
    • Methyl Cellosolve ®
    • Methyl ethoxol
    • Methyl glycol
    • Methyl oxitol
    • Methylcelosolv
    • Methylglykol
    • Methylglykol (GERMAN)
    • Metil cellosolve
    • Metil cellosolve (ITALIAN)
    • Metoksyetylowy alkohol
    • Metoksyetylowy alkohol (POLISH)
    • Monomethyl ether of ethylene glycol
    • Poly-Solv EM

Properties

  • Incompatiblities:
    • caustics
    • hydrofluoric acid
    • strong oxidizers

Health & Regulatory Guidelines

  • NFPA 704 Rating:
    • Health Hazardard Rating: 2
    • Fire Hazardard Rating: 2
  • NIOSH Guidelines:
    • TWA: 0.1 ppm
    • IDLH: 200 ppm
    • Conversion: 1 PPM = 3.11 mg/m3@ 25°C & 1ATM
  • OSHA Regulations:
    • TWA: 25 ppm
    • TWA Vacated: 25 ppm
  • Skin Absorption Risk: Yes

Notes about mixtures

Some chemicals listed in this database or not pure chemical compounds, rather they are mixtures of compound. It is not uncommon for wide range of molar ratios of a mixture to be lumped together as "synonyms" of the same "chemical" with the same CAS number.

Trademarks

  • Cellosolve is a registered trademark of Union Carbide Corp.

If you are aware of any synonyms listed above that are registered trademarks, please contact us with relevant information so that trademarks can be appropriately noted.

Sources

Data for this database was compiled from: hundreds of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of common industrial and household products; the Hazardous Materials Table from the United States "Code of Federal Regulations" title 49 section 172.101; the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards; the 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook; and many other related resources.

If you have detailed information on a chemical compound we are missing; know of resources (including public domain databases, or financial grants that would allow us to license databases); or are responsible for a database of chemical compounds and would like to partner with EnvironmentalChemistry.com; please contact us. Of particular short term interest to us is a table of data the cross references chemical formula to CAS Number or chemical name.

 

 
Valid 05/2001 - 07/2001 MSDS

Sigma Chemical Co.
P.O. Box 14508
St. Louis, MO 63178 USA
Tel: 314-771-5765

             M A T E R I A L  S A F E T Y  D A T A  S H E E T
             
SECTION 1. - - - - - - - - - CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION- - - - - - - - - -
    CATALOG #:            E5378
    NAME:                 ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER
SECTION 2. - - - - - COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS - - - - - -
    CAS #:   109-86-4
    MF: C3H8O2
    EC NO:  203-713-7
  SYNONYMS
    AETHYLENGLYKOL-MONOMETHYLAETHER (GERMAN) * DOWANOL 7 * DOWANOL EM *
    ETHER MONOMETHYLIQUE DE L'ETHYLENE-GLYCOL (FRENCH) * ETHYLENE GLYCOL
    METHYL ETHER * GLYCOL ETHER EM * GLYCOLMETHYL ETHER * GLYCOL
    MONOMETHYL ETHER * JEFFERSOL EM * 2-METHOXY-AETHANOL (GERMAN) *
    METHOXYETHANOL * 2-METHOXYETHANOL (ACGIH:OSHA) * METHOXYHYDROXYETHANE
    * METHYL CELLOSOLVE (OSHA) * METHYLCELOSOLV (CZECH) * METHYL ETHOXOL *
     METHYL GLYCOL * METHYLGLYKOL (GERMAN) * METHYL OXITOL * METIL
    CELLOSOLVE (ITALIAN) * METOKSYETYLOWY ALKOHOL (POLISH) * 2-
    METOSSIETANOLO (ITALIAN) * MONOMETHYL ETHER OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL * POLY-
    SOLV EM * PRIST *
SECTION 3. - - - - - - - - - - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION - - - - - - - - -
  LABEL PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
    COMBUSTIBLE (USA)
    FLAMMABLE (EU)
    TOXIC
    MAY IMPAIR FERTILITY.
    MAY CAUSE HARM TO THE UNBORN CHILD.
    HARMFUL BY INHALATION, IN CONTACT WITH SKIN AND IF SWALLOWED.
    IRRITATING TO EYES, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND SKIN.
    TARGET ORGAN(S):
    BLOOD
    KIDNEYS
    CAUSES IRRITATION.
    AVOID EXPOSURE - OBTAIN SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.
    IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR IF YOU FEEL UNWELL, SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
    IMMEDIATELY (SHOW THE LABEL WHERE POSSIBLE).
SECTION 4. - - - - - - - - - - FIRST-AID MEASURES- - - - - - - - - - -
    IF SWALLOWED, WASH OUT MOUTH WITH WATER PROVIDED PERSON IS CONSCIOUS.
    CALL A PHYSICIAN.
    IF INHALED, REMOVE TO FRESH AIR. IF BREATHING BECOMES DIFFICULT,
    CALL A PHYSICIAN.
    IN CASE OF CONTACT, IMMEDIATELY WASH SKIN WITH SOAP AND COPIOUS
    AMOUNTS OF WATER.
    IN CASE OF CONTACT WITH EYES, FLUSH WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF WATER
    FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. ASSURE ADEQUATE FLUSHING BY SEPARATING
    THE EYELIDS WITH FINGERS. CALL A PHYSICIAN.
SECTION 5. - - - - - - - - - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES - - - - - - - - - -
  EXTINGUISHING MEDIA
    WATER SPRAY.
    CARBON DIOXIDE, DRY CHEMICAL POWDER OR APPROPRIATE FOAM.
  SPECIAL FIREFIGHTING PROCEDURES
    WEAR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TO
    PREVENT CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES.
  UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS HAZARDS
    EMITS TOXIC FUMES UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS.
    COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID.
    FORMS EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES IN AIR.
SECTION 6. - - - - - - - - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES- - - - - - - - -
    WEAR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS, RUBBER BOOTS AND HEAVY
    RUBBER GLOVES.
    ABSORB ON SAND OR VERMICULITE AND PLACE IN CLOSED CONTAINERS FOR
    DISPOSAL.
    VENTILATE AREA AND WASH SPILL SITE AFTER MATERIAL PICKUP IS COMPLETE.
    EVACUATE AREA.
SECTION 7. - - - - - - - - - - HANDLING AND STORAGE- - - - - - - - - - -
    REFER TO SECTION 8.
SECTION 8. - - - - - - EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION- - - - - -
    SAFETY SHOWER AND EYE BATH.
    MECHANICAL EXHAUST REQUIRED.
    DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR.
    AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING.
    AVOID PROLONGED OR REPEATED EXPOSURE.
    NIOSH/MSHA-APPROVED RESPIRATOR.
    COMPATIBLE CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES.
    CHEMICAL SAFETY GOGGLES.
    WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING.
    KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED.
    KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT AND OPEN FLAME.
    STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE.
SECTION 9. - - - - - - - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES - - - - - - -
  PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    BOILING POINT:        124 - 125  C
    MELTING POINT:      -85  C
    FLASHPOINT               115F
                             46.11C
    EXPLOSION LIMITS IN AIR:
      UPPER                                    24.5 %
      LOWER                                    2.5 %
    VAPOR PRESSURE:      6.17 MMHG
    SPECIFIC GRAVITY:     0.965
    VAPOR DENSITY:     2.62 G/L
SECTION 10. - - - - - - - - -STABILITY AND REACTIVITY - - - - - - - - -
  STABILITY
    STABLE.
  INCOMPATIBILITIES
    STRONG OXIDIZING AGENTS
  HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION OR DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS
    CARBON MONOXIDE, CARBON DIOXIDE
  HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION
    WILL NOT OCCUR.
SECTION 11. - - - - - - - - - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION - - - - - - - -
  ACUTE EFFECTS
    CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION.
    HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN.
    CAUSES EYE IRRITATION.
    HARMFUL IF INHALED.
    MATERIAL IS IRRITATING TO MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND UPPER
    RESPIRATORY TRACT.
    HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.
    IN LABORATORY STUDIES WITH THIS MATERIAL, BIRTH DEFECTS, FETOTOXICITY,
    EMBRYOLETHALITY, ANEMIA, BONE MARROW DAMAGE, HEMOLYSIS, IMMUNO-
    SUPPRESSION AND DAMAGE TO THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE TISSUES HAVE BEEN
    OBSERVED.
  CHRONIC EFFECTS
    MAY CAUSE CONGENITAL MALFORMATION IN THE FETUS.
    MAY CAUSE REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS.
    TARGET ORGAN(S):
    BLOOD
    KIDNEYS
    LIVER
    LUNGS
    CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
    MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
    IMMUNE SYSTEM
    THYMUS
    BONE MARROW
  RTECS #: KL5775000
    ETHANOL, 2-METHOXY-
  IRRITATION DATA
    SKN-RBT 483 MG/24H MLD                        TXAPA9 19,276,1971
    EYE-RBT 97 MG                                 TXAPA9 19,276,1971
    EYE-RBT 500 MG/24H MLD                        85JCAE -,623,1986
    EYE-GPG 10 UG MLD                             JPPMAB 11,150,1959
  TOXICITY DATA
    ORL-HMN LDLO:3380 MG/KG                       JIHTAB 28,267,1946
    ORL-RAT LD50:2370 MG/KG                       VHTODE 29,361,1987
    IHL-RAT LC50:1500 PPM/7H                      NPIRI* 1,57,1974
    IPR-RAT LD50:2500 MG/KG                       NPIRI* 1,57,1974
    IVN-RAT LD50:2068 MG/KG                       AMIHAB 14,114,1956
    ORL-MUS LD50:2560 MG/KG                       GTPZAB 32(3),48,1988
    IHL-MUS LC50:1480 PPM/7H                      JIHTAB 25,157,1943
    IPR-MUS LD50:2147 MG/KG                       FEPRA7 6,342,1947
    ORL-RBT LD50:890 MG/KG                        AMIHAB 14,114,1956
    SKN-RBT LD50:1280 MG/KG                       NPIRI* 1,57,1974
    ORL-GPG LD50:950 MG/KG                        JIHTAB 23,259,1941
  TARGET ORGAN DATA
    BEHAVIORAL (GENERAL ANESTHETIC)
    BEHAVIORAL (TREMOR)
    BEHAVIORAL (CONVULSIONS OR EFFECT ON SEIZURE THRESHOLD)
    BEHAVIORAL (CHANGE IN MOTOR ACTIVITY)
    BEHAVIORAL (ANALGESIA)
    LUNGS, THORAX OR RESPIRATION (DYSPNAE)
    GASTROINTESTINAL (OTHER CHANGES)
    KIDNEY, URETER, BLADDER (HEMATURIA)
    KIDNEY, URETER, BLADDER (OTHER CHANGES)
    BLOOD (OTHER HEMOLYSIS WITH OR WITHOUT ANEMIA)
    PATERNAL EFFECTS (SPERMATOGENESIS)
    PATERNAL EFFECTS (TESTES, EPIDIDYMIS, SPERM DUCT)
    MATERNAL EFFECTS (PARTURITION)
    EFFECTS ON FERTILITY (FEMALE FERTILITY INDEX)
    EFFECTS ON FERTILITY (POST-IMPLANTATION MORTALITY)
    EFFECTS ON FERTILITY (LITTER SIZE)
    EFFECTS ON FERTILITY (ABORTION)
    EFFECTS ON EMBRYO OR FETUS (FETOTOXICITY)
    EFFECTS ON EMBRYO OR FETUS (FETAL DEATH)
    SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM)
    SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (CRANIOFACIAL)
    SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (BODY WALL)
    SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM)
    SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM)
    SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM)
    SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (UROGENITAL SYSTEM)
    EFFECTS ON NEWBORN (LIVE BIRTH INDEX)
    EFFECTS ON NEWBORN (VIABILITY INDEX)
    EFFECTS ON NEWBORN (GROWTH STATISTICS)
    EFFECTS ON NEWBORN (BIOCHEMICAL AND METABOLIC)
    ONLY SELECTED REGISTRY OF TOXIC EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES
    (RTECS) DATA IS PRESENTED HERE. SEE ACTUAL ENTRY IN RTECS FOR
    COMPLETE INFORMATION.

SECTION 12. - - - - - - - - - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION - - - - - - - - - -     

DATA NOT YET AVAILABLE. 

SECTION 13. - - - - - - - - - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS - - - - - - - - -     

CONTACT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICE TO DISPOSE OF     THIS MATERIAL.     THIS COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL MAY BE BURNED IN A CHEMICAL INCINERATOR     EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERBURNER AND SCRUBBER.     OBSERVE ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS. 

SECTION 14. - - - - - - - - - - TRANSPORT INFORMATION - - - - - - - - -     

CONTACT SIGMA CHEMICAL COMPANY FOR TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION. 

SECTION 15. - - - - - - - - - REGULATORY INFORMATION - - - - - - - - - -   

EUROPEAN INFORMATION     EC INDEX NO:     603-011-00-4     

FLAMMABLE    

 TOXIC     

R 60     

MAY IMPAIR FERTILITY.     

R 61     

MAY CAUSE HARM TO THE UNBORN CHILD.

http://www.conncoll.edu/offices/envhealth/MSDS/botany/E/Ethyleneglycolmonomethylether.html