Abstract  The effect of 1,3-butanediol on reproductive performance as well as its teratogenic, dominant lethal and cytogenetic effects were studied in five generations of Wistar rats. Animals of both sexes were fed either control diet or diet supplemented with 1,3-butanediol at dose levels of 5, 10 or 24% of the diet by weight. Reproduction and lactation parameters were comparative to controls for four of five generations of dams and pups. In contrast, the pregnancy rate of F1A rats decreased during five successive mating cycles; no pups were obtained in the high-dose level group of the fifth series of litters (F2E generation). Excluding this group, the viability of F2 generation pups revealed no significant differences between litters or between control and test groups. No definitive dose-related teratological findings were found in either soft or skeletal tissue examinations of F3B generation rats. However, incomplete ossification of sternebrae occurred frequently in mid- and high-dose fetuses, whereas missing sternebrae were noted especially in high-level fetuses. Both skeletal tissue findings suggest slight delayed fetal growth. For the dominant lethal assay of the F1B generation, the mutagenic index (percentage resorptions per implant sites) revealed no dose-related trend. In the three-generation cytogenetic study, no 1,3-butanediol related chromosomal aberrations were noted.

Abstract  Under completely occluded conditions, Celanese Chemical Company - 50-50 Blend in Water of 1,3 Butylene Glycol, was capable of eliciting visible skin changes consistent with the criteria deemed characteristic of a mild fatiguing agent in 2 out of 200 subjects. In the opinion of the investigator, Celanese Chemical Company - 50-50 Blend in Water of 1, 3 Butylene Glycol may be considered safe to use in contact with the skin insofar as primary irritation or sensitization are concerned if the conditions of contact do not exceed those of the test procedure. Insofar as sensitization is concerned, the extrapolation of these results to a general population is limited statistically by the number of test subjects. In this case, since 200 subjects were used, we may predict with 95% certainty that at least 98.17% of a general population will not be sensitized by this material.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to review the reported toxicity of reed diffuser fragrance liquid which, in addition to essential oils, commonly contains glycol ethers but other ingredients and/or alternatives are 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, petroleum distillates, ethanol and isopropanol.

METHODS: We analysed retrospectively enquiries to the United Kingdom National Poisons Information Service between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014.

RESULTS: 754 patients were exposed to reed diffusers; the majority (n = 712) were children < 5 years. Ingestion was the most common route of exposure (706 of 754 patients) and involved the liquid alone (n = 570), water beads alone (n = 84), sucking on the reeds (n = 31) or ingesting the liquid and water beads (n = 21). The reported amount of fragrance liquid ingested was known in only 76 of 591 cases (12.9%), with a median (IQR) volume of 20.0 (IQR = 10-40) mL. The WHO/IPCS/EC/EAPCCT Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) was known in 702 of 706 sole ingestions: in 574 (81.3%), the PSS was 0 (asymptomatic); in 117 (16.6%) patients, the PSS was 1 (minor toxicity); in 11 (1.6%), the PSS was 2 (moderate toxicity); there were no patients with features graded PSS 3 (severe toxicity). Significantly (p = 0.008) more patients became symptomatic (PSS 1 and PSS 2) following the ingestion of a reed diffuser containing 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol than propylene glycol monobutyl ether, though there was no significant difference when compared with those containing dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (p = 0.181). The most common features following ingestion of fragrance liquid were nausea and vomiting (n = 53), coughing (n = 17) and CNS depression (n = 9). Seven patients suffered eye exposure alone: two developed eye pain and four conjunctivitis. Dermal exposure alone was reported in six patients, two of whom developed skin irritation.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients in our study developed no features or only minor symptoms following ingestion of reed diffuser fragrance liquid.