According to the Guoli Chemical Product Database and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), polyethylene glycol PEG-600 is not classified as a dangerous good. Acute oral toxicity tests in rats show an LD50 greater than 2000 mg/kg, classifying it as a low toxicity substance. Animal tests indicate that this product is not irritating to the skin (rabbit test) and only mildly irritating to the eyes. Due to its good biocompatibility and low toxicity, PEG-600 is widely used in the pharmaceutical field (e.g., as ointment base, suppository base, pill carrier, and injection solubilizer) and in personal care products as a moisturizer, which indirectly confirms that its safety for the human body has been verified through long-term practice.
In terms of the environment, PEG-600 is a water-soluble non-ionic polymer, easily soluble in water, and has certain mobility. The database safety instructions clearly require: Prevent the leak from entering drainage systems, waterways, or soil. If environmental release has occurred, immediately notify the environmental protection authorities. Although PEG substances themselves do not have significant bioaccumulation and acute aquatic toxicity, large-scale discharge into water bodies will increase the chemical oxygen demand (COD), consume dissolved oxygen in the water, and impose an indirect burden on aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, waste should be handed over to licensed waste treatment agencies for incineration or appropriate treatment in accordance with regulations. Discharge is strictly prohibited.
In summary, PEG-600 is safe for the human body under normal use conditions, non-irritating to the skin, mildly irritating to the eyes, and the risk of daily exposure is extremely low. For the environment, under standard use and disposal conditions, the impact is controllable. The key is to avoid large-scale leakage into natural water bodies. Industrial users should strictly comply with the leakage emergency treatment and waste disposal regulations in the safety data sheet.
| Parameter | Data | Parameter | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Non-ionic surfactant | Appearance | Colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid or semi-solid |
| Content | ≥99% | pH value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0~7.0 |
| Molecular weight | 570~630 | Moisture | ≤1.0% |
| Heavy metals | ≤20 mg/kg | Arsenic | ≤2 mg/kg |
| Acid value | ≤0.5 mgKOH/g | Flash point | ≥220℃ |
| Solubility | Easily soluble in water, ethanol, acetone | Iodine value | ≤0.1 |
Given the low toxicity and low irritation of PEG-600, its conventional use in various fields is safe: in the pharmaceutical industry, as an ointment and suppository base, it can directly contact human mucous membranes; in personal care products, as a moisturizer and emollient, it is suitable for all skin types; in industrial applications, as a lubricant or dispersant, operators only need to follow basic protective specifications (wear protective goggles and gloves). It is recommended that industrial users ensure good ventilation in the operating area, avoid prolonged and repeated skin contact, and wash hands thoroughly after operation.