2-phenoxyethanol (2-PE)

2 – Phenoxyethanol Used as an insect repellent, a topical antiseptic, a solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes, inks and resins, in organic synthesis of plasticizers, in germicides. In vaccines, 2-Phenoxyethanol is an alternative to thiomersal. Classed as "Very Toxic Material". May lead to kidney, liver, ...Used as an insect repellent, a topical antiseptic, a solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes, inks and resins, in organic synthesis of plasticizers, in germicides. In vaccines, 2-Phenoxyethanol is an alternative to thiomersal.

Bohn S, Bircher AJ. Phenoxyethanol-induced urticaria. Allergy. 2001 Sep;56(9):922-3. No abstract available.PMID: 11551266 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Schmuck G, Steffens W, Bomhard E. 2-Phenoxyethanol: a neurotoxicant? Arch Toxicol. 2000 Jul;74(4-5):281-7. No abstract available.PMID: 10959804 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Musshoff U, Madeja M, Binding N, Witting U, Speckmann EJ. Effects of 2-phenoxyethanol on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated ion currents. Arch Toxicol. 1999 Feb;73(1):55-9.PMID: 10207615 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The actions were examined of 17 frequently used glycol ether compounds on the glutamate receptor-mediated ion currents. The receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injection of rat brain mRNA. Most of the 17 glycol ethers exerted no effects on the glutamate subreceptors activated by kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), whereas 2-phenoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monophenyl ether) caused a considerable reduction of NMDA-induced membrane currents in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner. The threshold concentration of the ethylene glycol monophenyl ether effect was < 10 mumol/l. The concentration for a 50% inhibition (IC50) was approximately 360 mumol/l. The results indicate a neurotoxic potential for 2-phenoxyethanol.

Morton WE. Occupational phenoxyethanol neurotoxicity: a report of three cases.J Occup Med. 1990 Jan;32(1):42-5.PMID: 2324842 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2-Phenoxyethanol, used as an anesthetic for handling small fish at a salmon hatchery, caused three women to experience headache and symptoms of intoxication during use, followed by diminished sensation and strength of hands and fingers, worse in the preferred hand. Persistent neuropathy did not develop in any of them. After 1 to 2 years of exposure, the women manifested gradual onset of symptoms of cognitive impairment with an inability to work. Neuropsychologic testing verified that all three had focal cognitive impairments that persisted. One also had documented labyrinthine hypofunction, which originated during this exposure. The immediate and delayed effects of 2-phenoxyethanol on the central nervous system resemble those of the other organic solvents.

Quote from Dr. Mary Teeling, Medical Director of the Ireland Medicines Board, during the above workshop:

”Perhaps I'm getting old and a bit cynical, but I'm really not sure that we have the full safety picture on 2-phenoxyethanol. It certainly does look to be a safe and efficacious vaccine -- preservative, but we're actually not 100 percent sure about either of these at this point in time. Formaldehyde has also been used. Now, there are other preservatives that have been used in other medicinal products, like benzochromium chloride. I think the important thing is that for a preservative to be used, they must fulfill the European Pharmacopeia specifications. That's a requirement in order to get a license either nationally or at community level in the European Union. So they do have -- So they will, more or less, fulfill the PH Euro requirements. But we're not really -
Ever how much information we have on thimerosal, I think we have less on the others. So you're into a situation, or are you -- You know the phrase, "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know." And I think that's a very important aspect of this whole review.”