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ARCHIVED - Draft Assessment for Ethylene Glycol

Appendix A: Tables 1 to 13

Table 1: Chemical and Physical Properties of Ethylene Glycol
PropertyParameterReferenceFugacity Model
Input Parameters
(Mackay et al. 1995)
Molecular formulaC2H6O2  
Molecular weight (g/mol)62.07 62.07
CAS registry number107-21-1  
Common synonymsglycol, glycol alcohol, ethylene alcohol, ethylene dihydrate, monoethylene glycol, 1,2-dihydroxyethane, 1,2-ethanediol  
Physical state (25°C)colourless liquid  
Melting point (°C)-13
-11.5
Budavari et al. 1989
Howard 1990
Weast 1982-1983
IPCS 1993
HSDB 1999
-13
Boiling point (°C)197.6Budavari et al. 1989
Howard 1990
IPCS 1993
HSDB 1999
 
Density (g/mL) at 20°C1.1135
1.1
1.1088
1.1130
Budavari et al. 1989
IPCS 1993
HSDB 1999
Verschueren 1983
 
Vapour pressure (Pa)6.7 (20°C)
7 (20°C)
12.27 (5°C)
11.7 (25°C)
Verschueren 1983
IPCS 1993
Howard 1990
HSDB 1999
12
Henry's Law constant (Pa·m3/mol)6.08 × 10-3
5.81 × 10-6 (calculated)
2.37 × 10-5 (calculated)
6.0 × 10-3 (experimental)
Howard 1990
Hine and Mookerjee 1975
Hine and Mookerjee 1975
Hine and Mookerjee 1975
7.5 × 10-3 (calculated based on fictitious water solubility of 1.0 × 105)
Log Kow-1.36
-1.93
-2.02
Howard 1990
Verschueren 1983
Iwase et al. 1985
-1.36
Solubility in watermiscibleBudavari et al. 1989
IPCS 1993
1.0 × 1011 mg/L
Conversion factormultiply by 1.11 g/mL to convert µL/L to mg/L  
Half-life -- air0.35-3.5 days 0.24-2.4
hours
Howard et al. 1991
Darnall et al. 1976
55 hours
Half-life -- water2-12 days (aerobic)
8-48 days (anaerobic)
Howard et al. 1991
Howard et al. 1991
55 hours
Half-life -- groundwater4-24 daysHoward et al. 1991 
Half-life -- soil2-12 daysHoward et al. 199155 hours
Half-life -- sediment--170 hours

 

Table 2: Ethylene Glycol Releases from all Reporting Sources (NPRI 1994 - 2005)
Report YearNumber of
Reporting
Facilities
Total
Disposal
Total
Recycled
Untreated
Releases
Total Glycol
Releases
1994237207382129315825
1995237352335938577739
1996275377535337657893
1997289399791345699479
19982942874274829868608
19993273198163222077037
200033343907230257014 190
200133755973358234611 301
20023585985220215719759
200334552152953233110 500
20043454573270223589633
200535352702675217510 119

Notes: All releases in tonnes. "Untreated Releases" does not include underground injection.

Table 3: Untreated Ethylene Glycol Releases, by Compartment, All Sources (NPRI 1994-2005)
YearReporting
Facilities
CompartmentTotal
Releases
AirWaterLandUnderground
Injection
1994178377912453772998
19951655337232472204072
19961885046931882333994
19971923782641611334698
19981752563326911393119
19992032842818902452447
20001903176821794222986
20012232475820371232465
20021883125112061731742
200318535244415321732501
200418434354514651262479
20051772975721301932263

 

Table 4: Ethylene Glycol Releases from Airports
Reporting
Year
Untreated
Releases
DisposalRecyclingTotal
1998245014187094577
1999179718744664137
2000216330903465599
2001201943223476688
2002116543646546183
2003144540308446319
2004140535369885929
20051232423612776745

Source: NPRI 2005. All releases are in tonnes.

Table 5: Summary Statistics of Concentrations of Ethylene Glycol in Stormwater Released from Canadian Airports in Selected Years
Deicing seasonNumber of samplesSummary statistics and percentiles of
distribution of measured concentrations
(mg/L)
MeanMedian75th90th95th99thMaximum
1997-9816062241038802563700
1998-9916762351245651804700
1997-99 combined32822351042722004700
2003-0415082751246824781860
2004-0517281941151761362560
2003-05 combined32362351249782242560

 

Table 6: Direct Toxicity Risk Quotients for Exposure of Algae to Ethylene Glycol
Effluent
concentration

(mg/L)
DescriptorEEV in
receiving water

(mg/L)
Quotient1
4700Highest maximum, 1997-1999 seasons4700.719
20099th Percentile, 1997-1999 seasons200.031
7295th Percentile, 1997-1999 seasons70.012
2560Highest maximum, 2003-2005 seasons2560.391
22499th Percentile, 2003-2005 seasons220.034
7895th Percentile, 2003-2005 seasons80.012

1 Quotient is derived by dividing the EEV by the ENEV (654 mg/L).

Table 7: Direct Toxicity Risk Quotients for Exposure of Amphibians to Ethylene Glycol
Effluent
concentration

(mg/L)
DescriptorEEV in
receiving water

(mg/L)
Quotient1
4700Highest maximum, 1997-1999 seasons4700.993
20099th Percentile, 1997-1999 seasons200.042
7295th Percentile, 1997-1999 seasons70.015
2560Highest maximum, 2003-2005 seasons2560.541
22499th Percentile, 2003-2005 seasons220.047
7895th Percentile, 2003-2005 seasons80.017

1 Quotient is derived by dividing the EEV by the ENEV (473 mg/L).

Table 8: Indirect Toxicity Risk Quotients for Exposure of Aquatic Biota to Ethylene Glycol
Effluent
concentration

(mg/L)
DescriptorEEV in
receiving
water

(mg/L)
Oxygen
deficit1
(mg/L)
Quotient2
4700Highest maximum, 1997-1999 seasons47057.916.1
20099th Percentile, 1997-1999 seasons203.10.86
7295th Percentile, 1997-1999 seasons71,30.37
2560Highest maximum, 2003-2005 seasons25632.99.13
22499th Percentile, 2003-2005 seasons223.40.95
7895th Percentile, 2003-2005 seasons81.60.44

1 Oxygen deficit is the application of the Streeter and Phelps (1925) oxygen sag model to provide the number of mg O2/L below the saturation point of 13.1 mg O2/L and resulting from the assumed EEV in the receiving water.
2 The quotient represents the ratio between the calculated oxygen deficit and the minimal oxygen deficit of 3.6 mg/L needed to meet the cold-water CCME freshwater guideline of 9.5 mg/L, assuming a water temperature of 4°C.

Table 9: Upper-bounding Estimates of Daily Intake of Ethylene Glycol by the General Population of Canada
(μg/kg-bw per day)
Route of Exposure0 - 6 Months 10.5 - 4
Years2
5 - 11
Years3
12 - 19
Years4
20 - 59
Years5
60 +
Years6
Formula
Fed
Not
Formula
Fed
Ambient air72.62.65.64.42.52.11.9
Indoor air854.654.6117.191.351.944.638.8
Food and beverages92.42.434.441.131.916.812.2
Drinking water10-------
Soil11-------
Total intake6060157137866453

1 Assumed to weigh 7.5 kg, to breathe 2.1 m3 of air per day (EHD 1998) and to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998).
2 Assumed to weigh 15.5 kg, to breathe 9.3 m3 of air per day (EHD 1998) and to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998).
3 Assumed to weigh 31.0 kg, to breathe 14.5 m3 of air per day (EHD 1998) and to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998).
4 Assumed to weigh 59.4 kg, to breathe 15.8 m3 of air per day (EHD 1998) and to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998).
5 Assumed to weigh 70.9 kg, to breathe 16.2 m3 of air per day (EHD 1998) and to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998).
6 Assumed to weigh 72.0 kg, to breathe 14.3 m3 of air per day (EHD 1998) and to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998).
7 The Ontario Ministry of Environment (formerly the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy) measured levels of ethylene glycol at 12 different public areas located in Windsor, Ontario in 1992 (OMEE 1994b). The maximum concentration (75 µg/m3) was used to calculate the upper-bounding estimate of exposure for ambient air. Canadians are assumed to spend 3 hours outdoors each day (EHD 1998).
8 Zhu et al. (2004) measured levels of ethylene glycol in nine residential homes (two apartments and seven single detached houses), one attached residential garage, one office and two laboratories. The maximum concentration observed in a residential home (223 µg/m3) was used to calculate the upper-bounding estimate of exposure. Canadians are assumed to spend 21 hours indoors each day (EHD 1998).
9 Refer to the State of the Science Report on ethylene glycol (Environment Canada and Health Canada 2000) for more details on the values of ethylene glycol that may be found in food and beverages.
10 Concentrations of ethylene glycol in Canadian drinking water or elsewhere were not identified.
11 Background concentrations of ethylene glycol in Canadian soils or elsewhere were not identified.

Table 10: Upper-bounding Estimates of Daily Intake of Ethylene Glycol by a Highly Exposed Population in the Immediate Vicinity of an Industrial Point Source
(µg/kg-bw per day)
Route of Exposure0 - 6 months 1 0.5 - 4
Years2
 5 - 11
Years3
 12 - 19
Years4
 20 - 59
Years5
 60 +
Years6
Formula
Fed
Not
Formula
Fed
Ambient air75.395.3911.559.015.124.403.82
Indoor air854.654.6117.191.351.944.638.8
Food and beverages92.42.434.441.131.916.812.2
Soil111717289222
Total intake7979191150916857

1 Assumed to weigh 7.5 kg, to breathe 2.1 m3 of air per day, to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998), and to ingest 30 mg of soil per day (EHD 1998).
2 Assumed to weigh 15.5 kg, to breathe 9.3 m3 of air per day, to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998), and to ingest 100 mg of soil per day (EHD 1998).
3 Assumed to weigh 31.0 kg, to breathe 14.5 m3 of air per day, to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998), and to ingest 65 mg of soil per day (EHD 1998).
4 Assumed to weigh 59.4 kg, to breathe 15.8 m3 of air per day, to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998), and to ingest 30 mg of soil per day (EHD 1998).
5 Assumed to weigh 70.9 kg, to breathe 16.2 m3 of air per day, to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998), and to ingest 30 mg of soil per day (EHD 1998).
6 Assumed to weigh 72.0 kg, to breathe 14.3 m3 of air per day, to consume food items at average daily rates indicated in EHD (1998), and to ingest 30 mg of soil per day.(EHD 1998).
7 Based on the maximum 24-hr average concentration (154 *g/m3) predicted in ambient air in a nearby residences located outside of outer property boundary of an ethylene glycol manufacturing facility in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada (Sciences International, 2003). Canadians are assumed to spend 3 hours outdoors each day (EHD 1998). These values are likely underestimated as they do not take into account the higher levels of ethylene glycol expected to be found in indoor air of residences located near the vicinity of an industrial point source.
8 Zhu et al. (2004) measured levels of ethylene glycol in nine residential homes (two apartments and seven single detached houses), one attached residential garage, one office and two laboratories. The maximum concentration observed in a residential home (223 µg/m3) was used to calculate the upper-bounding estimate of exposure. Canadians are assumed to spend 21 hours indoors each day (EHD 1998).
9 Refer to the State of the Science Report For Ethylene Glycol from 2000 for more details on the values of ethylene glycol that may be found in food and beverages.
10 Based on the maximum reported concentration (4290 mg/kg) in soil near an industrial point source of discharge (AEP 1996).

Table 11: Upper-bounding Estimates of Exposure to Ethylene Glycol from Use of Consumer Products
Consumer Product TypeAssumptionsEstimated Concentrations and Intakes
Latex wall paint

Inhalation (do-it-yourself painter)

  • Use Wall Paint Exposure Assessment Model (WPEM), version 3.2 2001 (US EPA 2001) and its default values (unless otherwise stated) for a do-it-yourself adult painter (RESDIY) in a painted area.
  • Assume paint is 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint.
  • Select ethylene glycol as the chemical of interest.
  • Assume the maximum percent ethylene glycol in both the primer and the paint to be 5.0% (NLM 2007; ICI 2007).
  • Assume that teenagers, adults and seniors may be painters.
Highest 8-hour concentration = 22 mg/m3
Highest instantaneous concentration = 31 mg/m3

Inhalation adult/child occupant)

  • Use Wall Paint Exposure Assessment Model (WPEM), version 3.2 2001 (US EPA 2001) and its default values (unless otherwise stated) for a child residing in house being painted (RESCHILD) located in the building but not in the painted area.
  • Assume paint is 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint
  • Select ethylene glycol as chemical of interest.
  • Assume the maximum percent ethylene glycol in both the primer and the paint to be 5.0% (NLM 2007; ICI 2007).
  • Assume all age groups may be occupants
Highest 8-hour concentration = 9.63 mg/m3
Highest instantaneous concentration = 10.3 mg/m3

Dermal (do-it-yourself painter)

  • Assume a paint density of 1.24 g/cm3, surface area exposed to be 220 cm2 (10% of the surface area of the face, hands and forearms), a film thickness of 0.0098 cm (US EPA 1986)
  • Assume the maximum percent ethylene glycol in both the primer and the paint to be 5.0% (NLM 2007; ICI 2007)
  • Assume 100% absorption through skin.
  • Assume adult body weight of 70.9 kg (EHD 1998).

Intake equation

Intake = 1.9 2 mg/kg bw per day
Floor Polish/Wax

Inhalation (adult/child occupant)

  • Use ConsExpo, version 4.1 (RIVM, 2006) and its default values (unless otherwise stated) for adult applying floor polish to living room floor (22m2) using a cloth and manually rubbing floor, twice/ yr, undiluted product, leave the room after polishing.
  • Assume the maximum percent ethylene glycol in floor polish to be 3.5 based on value referenced in SoS Report (2000). Note: CCSPA (2007) indicated a typical range of 1-3%.
Mean event concentration = 2.09 mg/m3
Auto wax/paste1

Dermal contact by applicator

  • Assume a maximum concentration of 3.0%, an exposed surface area equal to 400 cm2 (palm and fingers of average adult), product density of 1.022 g/cm3, a film thickness of 0.00325 cm (US EPA 1986).
  • Assume adult body weight of 70.9 kg (EHD 1998).

Intake equation

Intake = 0.56 mg/kg-bw per day

1 Assume this activity would be done outdoors and therefore inhalation exposure to ethylene glycol would be negligible (US EPA, 1986).

Table 12: Benchmark Dose (BMD) Values for Key Toxicity Studies: Gaunt et al. (1974), Depass et al. (1976), Neeper-Bradley et al. (1995), Cruzan et al. (2004) and ACC (2005)
End PointBMD05
(mg/kg/day)
BMDL05
(mg/kg/day)
Lack of fit
(P-Value)
Gaunt et al. (1974)*
Kidney tubule damage39.318.60.87
Individual nephrons with dethylene glycoleneration83.845.10.86
Individual nephrons with dethylene glycoleneration and occasional oxalate217.675.40.75
Several nephrons with dethylene glycoleneration and frequent crystals553.9180.11.00
Nephrons with dethylene glycoleneration and oxalate crystals173.467.30.90
Generalized tubular damage with heavy crystals456.5158.11.00
Depass et al. (1986)
Tubular dilation726.5476.10.70
Tubular dilation726.5476.10.70
Hydronephrosis367.0230.00.11
Oxalate nephrosis313.2272.50.41
Calcium oxalate crystalluria704.0521.60.93
Neeper-Bradley et al. (1995)
Extra 14th rib per litter141.323.10.91
Extra 14th rib per fetus103.687.90.01
Cruzan et al. (2004)
Wistar rats, crystal nephropathy severity ≥1 vs. severity 0160.771.50.92
Wistar rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥2 vs. severity ≤1194.773.00.98
Wistar rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥3 vs. severity ≤2158.252.90.68
Wistar rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥4 vs. severity ≤3326.495.10.98
Wistar rats, crystal nephropathy, severity 5 vs. severity ≤4398.5106.60.96
F-344 rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥1 vs. severity 0348.0164.30.82
F-344 rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥2 vs. severity ≤1367.1214.80.46
F-344 rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥3 vs. severity ≤2437.8226.70.79
F-344 rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥4 vs. severity ≤3704.3241.60.99
F-344 rats, crystal nephropathy, severity ≥5 vs. severity ≤4704.3241.60.99

* These data were originally modeled in 1999 using a multistage model with a threshold term (d0), which was standard practice at the time. The current practice is to omit the threshold term since the resulting BMDs are more conservative.

Table 13: Maternal and Developmental Effects in CD-1 Mice from Nose-only Exposure to Ethylene Glycol During Gestation Days 6-15 (Tyl, et al. 1995)
Target Concentration
(mg/m3)
Average
Measured Concentration

(mg/m3)
Maternal
Effects
Observed
Developmental
Effects
Observed
00No effectsNo effects
500360No significant effects observedNo significant effects observed
1000779Increased absolute kidney weightNo significant effects observed
25002505Increased absolute and relative (~7%; p<0.05) kidney weightsReduced fetal body weights per litter, increase incidence of skeletal variations and fused ribs

 

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