Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 PRIORITY SUBSTANCES LIST STATE OF THE SCIENCE REPORT for ETHYLENE GLYCOL Environment Canada Health Canada December 2000 TABLE OF CONTENTS SYNOPSIS.......................................................................................................................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................3 2.0 SUMMARY OF CRITICAL INFORMATION ....................................................................6 2.1 IDENTITY AND PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES......................................................................6 2.2 ENTRY CHARACTERIZATION ....................................................................................................6 2.2.1 Production, importation and uses...................................................................................6 2.2.2 Sources and releases .......................................................................................................7 2.2.2.1 Natural sources..........................................................................................................7 2.2.2.2 Anthropogenic sources..............................................................................................8 2.2.2.2.1 Industrial point sources........................................................................................8 2.2.2.2.2 Other sources ...................................................................................................10 2.3 EXPOSURE CHARACTERIZATION.............................................................................................11 2.3.1 Environmental fate.......................................................................................................11 2.3.1.1 Air..........................................................................................................................11 2.3.1.2 Water.....................................................................................................................11 2.3.1.3 Soil and sediment ....................................................................................................13 2.3.1.4 Environmental partitioning........................................................................................13 2.3.2 Environmental concentrations......................................................................................14 2.3.2.1 Ambient air ..............................................................................................................14 2.3.2.2 Indoor air.................................................................................................................14 2.3.2.3 Drinking water .........................................................................................................15 2.3.2.4 Surface water and groundwater................................................................................15 2.3.2.5 Sediment, soil and biota............................................................................................18 2.3.2.6 Food .......................................................................................................................19 2.3.2.7 Consumer products..................................................................................................20 2.4 EFFECTS CHARACTERIZATION................................................................................................20 2.4.1 Ecotoxicology................................................................................................................20 2.4.1.1 Direct effects............................................................................................................21 2.4.1.1.1 Microorganisms ................................................................................................21 2.4.1.1.2 Plants................................................................................................................21 2.4.1.1.3 Invertebrates.....................................................................................................22 2.4.1.1.4 Fish..................................................................................................................23 2.4.1.1.5 Amphibians.......................................................................................................24 2.4.1.1.6 Mammals and birds...........................................................................................24 2.4.1.2 Indirect effects ........................................................................................................25 2.4.2 Abiotic atmospheric effects...........................................................................................27 2.4.3 Experimental animals and in vitro.................................................................................28 2.4.3.1 Acute toxicity...........................................................................................................28 iii 2.4.3.2 Irritation and sensitization..........................................................................................29 2.4.3.3 Short-term and subchronic repeated dose toxicity.....................................................29 2.4.3.4 Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity..........................................................................32 2.4.3.5 Genotoxicity.............................................................................................................35 2.4.3.6 Reproductive and developmental toxicity..................................................................35 2.4.3.7 Neurological effects and effects on the immune system..............................................39 2.4.3.8 Toxicokinetics and mode of action............................................................................39 2.4.4 Humans .........................................................................................................................42 3.0 RISK CHARACTERIZATION ............................................................................................44 3.1 ENVIRONMENT.......................................................................................................................44 3.1.1 General Considerations ................................................................................................44 3.1.2 Environmental risk characterization ............................................................................45 3.1.2.1 Aquatic biota — direct effects..................................................................................45 3.1.2.1.1 Algae................................................................................................................46 3.1.2.1.2 Amphibians.......................................................................................................48 3.1.2.1.3 Concluding discussion.......................................................................................49 3.1.2.2 Aquatic biota — indirect effects................................................................................49 3.1.2.3 Uncertainty and recommendations ............................................................................54 3.1.2.3.1 Direct effects.....................................................................................................54 3.1.2.3.2 Indirect effects ..................................................................................................55 3.2 ENVIRONMENT UPON WHICH LIFE DEPENDS ............................................................................55 3.3 HUMAN HEALTH....................................................................................................................56 3.3.1 Estimated population exposure.....................................................................................56 3.3.2 Hazard characterization................................................................................................57 3.3.2.1 Carcinogenicity........................................................................................................57 3.3.2.2 Non-neoplastic effects..............................................................................................58 3.3.3 Exposure–response analysis.........................................................................................59 3.3.3.1 Oral exposure..........................................................................................................60 3.3.3.2 Inhalation.................................................................................................................65 3.3.3.3 Dermal exposure......................................................................................................65 3.3.4 Uncertainties and recommendations ............................................................................66 4.0 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................70 APPENDIX A: SEARCH STRATEGIES EMPLOYED FOR IDENTIFICATION OF RELEVANT DATA....................................................................................................................100 APPENDIX B: JUSTIFICATION FOR GENERIC DILUTION FACTORS.........................102 APPENDIX C: MANAGEMENT OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL AT CANADIAN AIRPORTS105 iv LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Chemical and physical properties of ethylene glycol...........................................................108 Table 2. Estimate of quantities of ethylene glycol