The acute oral toxicity of PEG-1000/1500 (polyethylene glycol 1000/1500) is extremely low. It is widely used in pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics, and personal care products, which require high safety standards. Its good biocompatibility has been verified through long-term use. However, this does not mean it is completely harmless— under conditions of direct contact or high concentration exposure, it may still cause local irritation reactions in humans.
According to the GHS classification in the product SDS (based on EU CLP regulation), PEG-1000/1500 is classified as: Skin corrosion/irritation Category 2 (H315: Causes skin irritation), Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2 (H319: Causes serious eye irritation), and Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure Category 3 (H335: May cause respiratory irritation). The old EU regulation also labeled it as an irritant (Xi), with risk phrases R36/37/38 (irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin). Therefore, appropriate personal protective measures should be taken during operation.
In terms of the environment, polyethylene glycol compounds are generally considered to have good biodegradability, can be gradually degraded by microorganisms in the natural environment, and do not significantly accumulate in organisms. Their acute toxicity to aquatic organisms is low, and under normal use and discharge conditions, they do not cause significant harm to aquatic ecosystems. However, it should be noted that large-scale spills or improper discharge may still cause local environmental burden, and waste should be properly disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
| Exposure Route | Risk Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oral ingestion | Low risk | Acute oral toxicity is extremely low; pharmaceutical grade PEG is widely used as an excipient in oral formulations. |
| Skin contact | Moderate irritation risk | May cause mild skin irritation (H315); prolonged or repeated contact recommends wearing protective gloves. |
| Eye contact | Higher irritation risk | May cause serious eye irritation (H319); chemical safety goggles should be worn during operation. |
| Inhalation | Moderate irritation risk | Dust or vapor may cause respiratory irritation (H335); good ventilation should be maintained. |
| Environmental factor | Impact assessment | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatic toxicity | Low toxicity | Acute toxicity to aquatic organisms such as fish, algae, and daphnia is low. |
| Biodegradability | Degradable | Can be gradually degraded by microorganisms, not easily persist in the environment. |
| Bioaccumulation | Low accumulation risk | High water solubility, low octanol/water partition coefficient, not easily accumulated in organisms. |
| Soil impact | Minor impact | Can be degraded by microorganisms in soil, will not cause soil pollution under normal use. |
In cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications, the usage concentration of PEG-1000/1500 is usually subject to rigorous safety assessments, and the risk in finished products is extremely low. However, during industrial production operations (such as feeding, weighing, mixing, etc.), special attention should be paid to dust control and personal protection. Waste disposal should follow local environmental regulations; it is not recommended to discharge directly into surface waters. In case of large spills, they should be collected and disposed of by qualified waste treatment agencies.