Experimental study of cutaneous tolerance to glycol ethers.

We tried out the potential irritant and sensitizing effect of the main glycol ethers found in industrial and consumer products. Cutaneous irritation was determined in the rabbit following the EEC method (European Economic Communities) and the Draize protocol, and the sensitizing effect was evaluated in the guinea pig by the maximized Magnusson and Kligman method. The results showed no delayed cutaneous hypertensitivity, and all glycol ethers studied were classified from slightly irritant to severely irritant according to the Draize protocol, though only 2-butoxyethanol and isopropoxyethanol were classified as skin irritants with the EEC method. Glycol ethers should be handled with all the care that should be taken in the safe use of organic solvents.