The acute toxicity and primary irritancy of 1-propoxy-2-propanol.

1-Propoxy-2-propanol, a widely used industrial chemical, was found to have acute peroral LD50 values in the rat of 4.92 ml/kg (males) and 2.83 ml/kg (females), with the signs of systemic toxicity being principally related to narcosis. Acute percutaneous LD50 values in the rabbit (24-hr occluded) were 4.29 ml/kg (males) and 4.92 ml/kg (females); signs of systemic toxicity were related to narcosis, and local effects were severe inflammation and corrosion. There were signs of sensory irritation of the eye during a 6-hr exposure to a dynamically generated saturated vapor atmosphere, but no signs of toxicity during exposure or in a 14-hr day postexposure observation period. A 4-hr occluded cutaneous application with 0.5 ml PP in rabbits produced mild to moderate erythema and edema of about 3 days duration, but no signs of corrosion. Contamination of the eye (0.005 to 0.1 ml PP) produced moderate to severe conjunctivitis (hyperaemia and chemosis), with mild iritis and diffuse mild keratitis; spontaneously healing occurred within 3 days (0.005 ml) to 7 days (0.1 ml). The major acute hazards with PP are by swallowing, splash contamination of the eye, and sustained skin contact.