Global Guide Warns of Diethylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether Risks

Imagine your company is developing a new cleaning agent that requires the use of a chemical called diethylene glycol dimethyl ether. Do you understand its potential hazards? How does it affect human health and the environment? What are the best practices for its safe handling and disposal? The Concise International Chemical Assessment Document (CICAD) 41 , published in 2002 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the World Health Organization (WHO), provides authoritative and comprehensive answers to these critical questions.

This assessment document was developed by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), a collaborative initiative established in 1980 by UNEP, ILO, and WHO. The IPCS aims to establish a scientific foundation for assessing the risks of chemical exposure to human health and the environment. Through rigorous international peer-review processes, the IPCS promotes chemical safety and strengthens global capacity for sound chemical management.

The Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) was established in 1995, involving UNEP, ILO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), WHO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The IOMC facilitates coordination among these organizations to advance policies and activities that ensure the safe management of chemicals, protecting both human health and the environment.

Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents (CICADs) are a key publication of the IPCS, serving as authoritative references for chemical risk assessment alongside the Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) series. CICADs are based on selected national or regional assessments or existing EHCs and undergo extensive peer review by international experts to ensure accuracy, completeness, and validity of conclusions.

CICADs focus on describing the hazard characteristics and dose-response relationships of chemicals. They are not exhaustive summaries of all available data but highlight only the most critical information for risk assessment. Key studies are presented in sufficient detail to support the conclusions. Readers seeking additional information are encouraged to consult the original source documents referenced in the CICAD.

Risks to human health and the environment vary depending on the type and extent of exposure. Authorities are strongly encouraged to assess risks based on locally measured or predicted exposure scenarios. To assist readers, CICADs often include examples of exposure assessments and risk characterizations. These examples are not exhaustive but serve as practical guidance. For further details on deriving health-based guidance values, readers may refer to EHC 170.

While every effort is made to ensure CICADs reflect current knowledge, new information continues to emerge. Unless otherwise noted, CICADs are based on scientific literature searches up to the date specified in the executive summary. Readers who identify new information that may alter a CICAD’s conclusions are encouraged to notify the IPCS.

The development of CICADs follows a meticulous process designed to leverage global expertise in toxicology, exposure assessment, and data quality evaluation—all essential for assessing risks to human health and the environment. The IPCS Risk Assessment Steering Group advises the IPCS Coordinator on chemical selection, document format (EHC or CICAD), responsible agencies, and the extent of international peer review.

• Draft preparation based on existing national, regional, or international reviews.
• Initial review by IPCS and experienced authors to ensure compliance with CICAD standards.
• International peer review by selected experts, with authors required to address all feedback.
• Final review by the CICAD Final Review Board, which ensures thorough peer review, validates the handling of reviewer comments, and approves the document as an international assessment.

Committee members serve in their personal capacity, not as representatives of any organization, government, or industry. They are selected for their expertise in toxicology or chemical regulation, with consideration given to geographical balance.

All participants in the CICAD process—committee members, authors, reviewers, and consultants—must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest. Non-governmental organizations may observe final review meetings but do not participate in decision-making.

The initial draft of CICAD 41 was prepared by Dr. I. Mangelsdorf, Dr. A. Boehncke, and Dr. G. Könnecker of the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Aerosol Research in Hannover, Germany. The document was published under the joint sponsorship of UNEP, ILO, and WHO, within the framework of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.

The report reflects the collective views of an international group of experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or policies of UNEP, ILO, or WHO.