Subchronic inhalation toxicology of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether in the rat and rabbit.

The subchronic inhalation toxicology of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE) was evaluated in rats and rabbits using a 13-week exposure regimen. Groups of 20 rabbits (10 M, 10 F) and 30 rats (15 M, 15 F) were exposed to a vapor of 25 ppm, 100 ppm, or 400 ppm, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week. The control groups received air only. Physical examinations and body weight measurements were conducted on all animals pretest and weekly throughout the study. Ophthalmoscopic examination was performed pretest and at termination. Evaluation of hematology and clinical chemistry was conducted on 10 animals per sex per group from each species after 13 weeks of study. Histopathological changes were assessed for all animals from the high-dose and control groups. In addition, selected tissues were examined from all animals from the mid- and low-dose groups. Both species exhibited an increased incidence of lacrimation and mucoid nasal discharge, but the response was not consistently dose-related. Rats exposed to EGEE showed no compo...