Glycol
ethers are
solvents used in a plethora of occupational and household products exposing the users to potential toxic effects. Several glycol
ethers derived from
ethylene glycol induce hematological toxicity, such as
anemia in workers. The exposure effects on blood cells of glycol
ethers derived from
propylene glycol are unknown in humans. The aim of our study was to evaluate blood parameters indicative of red blood cell (RBC)
hemolysis and oxidative stress in participants exposed to
propylene glycol (
propylene glycol monobutyl
ether (PGBE) and
propylene glycol monomethyl ether (
PGME)), two extensively used
propylene glycol derivatives worldwide. Seventeen participants were exposed 2 h in a control inhalation exposure chamber to low
PGME (35 ppm) and PGBE (15 ppm) air concentrations. Blood was regularly collected before, during (15, 30, 60, and 120 min), and 60 min after exposure for RBC and oxidative stress analyses. Urine was also collected for clinical effects related to
hemolysis. Under the study conditions, our results showed that the blood parameters such as RBCs,
hemoglobin concentration, and white blood cells tended to increase in response to
PGME and PGBE exposures. These results raise questions about the possible effects in people regularly exposed to higher concentrations, such as workers.