An endocrine disruptor is defined as “an exogenous substance or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations” (WHO/PCS, 2002). In recent years publications have appeared that mention individual glycol ethers or glycol ethers in general amongst those substances with potential to cause endocrine disruption in humans, particularly in relation to reproductive effects (Cecchi, 2014; Dodson et al., 2012; Fort et al., 2018; Helm et al., 2018; Hipwell et al., 2019; Kassotis et al., 2015, 2016; Simon et al., 2016; Vu et al., 2019; Warembourg et al., 2018). 

Two recent reviews have investigated the evidence for individual glycol ethers to cause endocrine disruption (Kelsey, 2022; Kelsey & Seidel, 2023). The reviews systematically assessed all the available and relevant in vitro and in vivo data across the families of propylene and ethylene glycol ethers using an approach based around the EFSA/ECHA 2018 guidance for the identification of endocrine disruptors.