Ethers Group - information sheet

Publications summarized:

Final Screening Assessment for Ethers (published on February 4, 2023). Public comments received on the draft screening assessment were considered and a summary of the comments with Government responses was published.
Associated notice: Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 157, No. 5 – February 4, 2023

The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent of exposure to people or the environment.
- When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA 1999 and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of these 4 substances were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) Approach.
The 4 substances in the Ethers Group are associated with health effects; however, at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, the Government concluded that they are not harmful to human health or to the environment.

The summary of publications for the Ethers Group includes details on the substance names and CAS RNs.
The screening assessment focused on 4 substances referred to collectively as the Ethers Group under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
Diethyl ether (DEE), diphenyl ether (DPE), and dimethyl ether (DME) naturally occur at low levels in some foods. Dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPGME) does not occur naturally in the environment.
According to information gathered by the Government, these substances are mainly used in Canada in may products available to consumers, including air care (e.g., air fresheners); automotive, aircraft and transportation (e.g., solvents used in the manufacturing of vehicles or functional fluids contained within components of a vehicle); cleaning and furnishing care; fuels and related products; oil and natural gas extraction; as well as paints and coatings. They may be used in medicinal or non-medicinal ingredients in disinfectant, human or veterinary drug products, as non-medicinal ingredients in natural health products, cosmetics, various other products available to consumers, and as formulants (not active ingredients) in pest control products. Some of these substances may also be used in food packaging materials, food processing aids, and food flavouring agents.

The screening assessment indicated that Canadians may be exposed to substances in the Ethers Group from environmental sources (for example, indoor air) and food. The general population may also be exposed to these substances from the use of products available to consumers; for example:
- DEE from the use of body lotions, corn and callus removers, and automotive starting fluids
- DPE from air fresheners and hand creams
- DME from spray sunscreens
According to the information considered under the ERC Approach, DEE, DPE and DPGME were identified as having low ecological exposure potential. However, DME was classified has having a high ecological exposure potential based on a long half-life in air and a large annual import quantity.

To inform the health effects characterization in the screening assessment, international reports of data on these substances were considered. This included assessments by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the European Food Safety Authority, among others.
A comparative approach using similar chemicals, called read-across, was used to inform the human health assessment when data on the chemicals under assessment was limited.
Based on laboratory studies, the most critical effects for DEE were changes in body weight and food consumption with oral exposure, and liver toxicity with exposure by the inhalation route. Changes in body weight were the main critical effects for both oral and long-term inhalation exposures to DPE. The critical effect for DME was decreased survival rates in rats with long-term exposure via inhalation. DPGME was not identified as inducing any adverse effects in any of the available studies.
According to information considered under the ERC Approach, all 4 substances were identified as having a low ecological hazard potential.

There are groups of individuals within the Canadian population who, due to greater susceptibility or greater exposure, may be more vulnerable to experiencing adverse health effects from exposure to substances.
Certain subpopulations are routinely considered throughout the screening assessment process, such as infants, children, and people of reproductive age. For instance, age-specific exposures are routinely estimated and developmental and reproductive toxicity studies are evaluated for potential adverse health effects. These subpopulations were taken into consideration in the risk assessment outcomes for the Ethers Group.

On the basis of the information presented in the screening assessment, the risk to human health from the 4 substances in the Ethers Group is low.
Based upon the outcome of the ERC Approach, these 4 substances are considered unlikely to be causing ecological harm.

The Government concluded that DEE, DPE, DME and DPGME are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
The Government also concluded that DEE, DPE, DME and DPGME are not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

Ethers may be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product and dispose of products responsibly.
Visit Healthy home for information on chemical safety in and around the home.
Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.
The health portion of the screening assessment focused on potential risks from exposure of the general population of Canada. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). For information concerning workplace health and safety and what steps to take in the workplace, Canadians should consult their employer or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction.

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