2-Phenoxyethanol

Toxicity

LC50 oral, rat; 1980 mg/kg . LD50 Rabbit dermal 2250 mg/kg.
2-Phenoxyethanol (PhE) has been shown to induce hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, and hemolysis at dosages ≥ 400 mg/kg/day in subchronic and chronic studies in multiple species.
The major hazards encountered in the use and handling of 2-phenoxyethanol stem from its toxicologic properties. Toxic by all routes (inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact), exposure to this very faintly aromatic, colorless, oily liquid may occur from its use.

Description

2-Phenoxyethanol, known early on as ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, is a high-boiling, oily liquid that is moderately water-soluble. It has a long history and several uses in chemical manufacturing and consumer products.

The Uses of 2-Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used in consumer and health care products, including vaccines, pen inks, ear drops, shampoos, skin cleansers, moisturizers, sun care products, and topical medicaments. The preservative Euxyl-K 400 also contains 2-phenoxyethanol, in combination with methyldibromoglutaronitrile.

Background

Phenoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. It is a glycol ether used as a perfume fixative, insect repellent, antiseptic, solvent, preservative, and also as an anesthetic in fish aquaculture. Phenoxyethanol is an ether alcohol with aromatic properties. It is both naturally found and manufactured synthetically. Demonstrating antimicrobial ability, phenoxyethanol acts as an effective preservative in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lubricants.

Pharmacokinetics

This substance has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeasts, and mold .

Metabolism

The fate of phenoxyethanol in rats and humans has been investigated . The rate of intestinal absorption was rapid, with 60-70% of the excreted (14)C detected at 3 hours and > 95% of the total 4-day urinary (14)C detected within the first 24 hr. Trace amounts of radioactivity were detected in feces. Four days after dosing, only trace amounts of radioactivity remained in the carcass, primarily in the liver (< 0.2% of the dose), fat and muscle. At the 4 day point, the (14)C concentration in blood was measured to be only 0.001 .
The major metabolite of phenoxyethanol is phenoxyacetic acid .