National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Ethyl ether
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Ethyl ether is a solvent for waxes, fats, oils, perfumes, and other materials; it is used in production of industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals and gun powder, as a primer for gasoline engines, and as a medical anesthetic.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 2 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 9 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 157,187 |
- |
- |
Health Concerns for Ethyl ether:
- Occupational hazards
- Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
- Cancer
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Neurotoxicity
- Miscellaneous
Ethyl ether Exposure by State
Water utilities in 2 states have reported detecting Ethyl ether in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Ethyl ether contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| New Jersey | 7 | 154,837 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 2,350 |
| Total | 9 | 157,187 |
The Most Polluted Communities
9 water utilities reported detecting Ethyl ether in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Ethyl ether level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Plain Maple Plain, MN | 2,070 | 1 of 2 | 1.55 ppb (0 to 3.1 ppb) |
| 2 | Upsala Upsala, MN | 280 | 1 of 6 | 0.88 ppb (0 to 5.3 ppb) |
| 3 | South River W Dept South River, NJ | 14,000 | 1 of 3 | 0.83 ppb (0 to 2.5 ppb) |
| 4 | Collingswood Water Depar Collingswood, NJ | 20,000 | 1 of 4 | 0.14 ppb (0 to 0.57 ppb) |
| 5 | Southeast Morris County Mua Cedar Knolls, NJ | 67,657 | 5 of 29 | 0.14 ppb (0 to 1.7 ppb) |
| 6 | Point Pleasant Water Department Point Pleasant, NJ | 19,600 | 2 of 5 | 0.08 ppb (0 to 0.22 ppb) |
| 7 | Long Beach Twp Brant Bea Brant Beach, NJ | 25,295 | 1 of 1 | 0.06 ppb (0.06 ppb) |
| 8 | Long Beach Twp WD Holgat Brant Beach, NJ | 2,000 | 1 of 2 | 0.06 ppb (0 to 0.12 ppb) |
| 9 | Tuckerton Water & Sewer Dept Tuckerton, NJ | 6,285 | 1 of 5 | 0.03 ppb (0 to 0.16 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for Ethyl ether
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Health-Based Screening Level | A benchmark concentration of contaminants in water that may be of potential concern for human health, if exceeded. For noncarcinogens, the HBSL represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse effects over a lifetime of exposure. For carcinogens, the HBSL range represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that corresponds to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 chance in 1 million to 1 chance in 10 thousand. Source: U.S. Geological Survey. | 1000 ppb |
Testing Summary for Ethyl ether
| Are tests routinely required for Ethyl ether by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Ethyl ether (2004-2008): | 1,055 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2008): | 0.7 per year |
Occupational hazards
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,106,1971 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910 1994 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926 1994 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915 1993 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204 1994 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at low doses | RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1976 |
| Limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1943 |
Cancer
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1985 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Anesthesiology 1975 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Chemico-Biological Interactions 1976 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses | RTECS®- Hifu 1980 |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1973 |
Neurotoxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| nervous system - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Miscellaneous
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Occupational hazards related to handling | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | DIETHYL ETHER; ETHER | •Extremely flammable •Harmful •Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | ETHYL ETHER | • o |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | ETHANE, 1,1'-OXYBIS- | •This chemical was deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | ETHANE, 1,1'-OXYBIS- | •The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | ETHYL ETHER | •Hepatotoxin: Hepatotoxin, Secondary; •Neurotoxin: CNS Solvent Syndrome; •PEL (OSHA) - Permissible exposure limit (OSHA): 400 ppm; •STEL (ACGIH) - Short-term exposure limits (ACGIH): 500 ppm; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 400 ppm; •Flammability (NFPA) - NFPA flammability code: 0 = will not burn; 1 = must be preheated; 2 = high ambient temp required; 3 = may ignite at ambient temp; 4 = burn readily: 4: burns readily; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 1900 ppm; •Odor Threshold High - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 9 ppm; •Odor Threshold Low - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 0.1 ppm; •MAK - Maximum Allowable Concentration (Federal Republic of Germany): 400 ppm; |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | ETHYL ETHER | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | ETHYL ETHER | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- Anesthesiology 1975 | ETHYL ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: other mutation test systems (hamster fbr) |
| RTECS®- Anesthesiology 1975 | ETHYL ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: other mutation test systems (hamster fbr) |
| RTECS®- Chemico-Biological Interactions 1976 | ETHYL ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA repair (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Chemico-Biological Interactions 1976 | ETHYL ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA repair (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1976 | ETHYL ETHER | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1976 | ETHYL ETHER | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Hifu 1980 | ETHYL ETHER | • skin - Primary skin irritant (guinea pig ) |
| RTECS®- Hifu 1980 | ETHYL ETHER | • skin - Primary skin irritant (guinea pig ) |
| RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1985 | ETHYL ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Inhibition (mouse emb) |
| RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1985 | ETHYL ETHER | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Inhibition (mouse emb) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1943 | ETHYL ETHER | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant ( human ) |
| RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,106,1971 | ETHYL ETHER | • occupationally related - MSHA STANDARD-air (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926 1994 | ETHYL ETHER | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Construc) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204 1994 | ETHYL ETHER | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Fed Cont) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910 1994 | ETHYL ETHER | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Gen Indu) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915 1993 | ETHYL ETHER | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Shipyard) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1973 | ETHYL ETHER | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP. |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation. |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25 |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- Anesthesiology 1975 | RTECS®- Anesthesiology. (Lippincott/Harper, Journal Fulfillment Dept., 2350 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740) V.1- 1940- 43,21,1975 |
| RTECS®- Anesthesiology 1975 | RTECS®- Anesthesiology. (Lippincott/Harper, Journal Fulfillment Dept., 2350 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740) V.1- 43,21,1975 |
| RTECS®- Chemico-Biological Interactions 1976 | RTECS®- Chemico-Biological Interactions. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1969- 15,219,1976 |
| RTECS®- Chemico-Biological Interactions 1976 | RTECS®- Chemico-Biological Interactions. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 15,219,1976 |
| RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1976 | RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. (Bethesda, MD) V.1-46, 1942-87. 35,729,1976 |
| RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1976 | RTECS®- Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. (Bethesda, MD) V.1-46, 1942-87. 35,729,1976 |
| RTECS®- Hifu 1980 | RTECS®- Hifu. Skin. (Nippon Hifuka Gakkai Osaka Chihokai, c/o Osaka Daigaku Igakubu, 1-1-50 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka 553, Japan) V.1- 1959- 22,373,1980 |
| RTECS®- Hifu 1980 | RTECS®- Hifu. Skin. (Nippon Hifuka Gakkai Osaka Chihokai, c/o Osaka Daigaku Igakubu, 1-1-50 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka 553, Japan) V.1- 22,373,1980 |
| RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1985 | RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology. (John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Baffins Lane, Chichester, W. Sussex PO19 1UD, UK) V.1- 1981- 5,1,1985 |
| RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1985 | RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology. (John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Baffins Lane, Chichester, W. Sussex PO19 1UD, UK) V.1- 5,1,1985 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1943 | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. (Cambridge, MA) V.18-31, 1936-49. For publisher information, see AEHLAU. 25,282,1943 |
| RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,106,1971 | RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,106,1971 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926 1994 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926.55,1994 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204 1994 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204.50,1994 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910 1994 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910.1000,1994 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915 1993 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915.1000,1993 |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1973 | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet. (Union Carbide Corp., 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06817) 4/5/1973 |
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