Search  | Index  |        Home  | Glossary  | Contact UsCONTENTS1.1             What are 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate?1.2             What happens to 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate when             they enter the environment?1.3             How might I be exposed to 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol             acetate?1.4             How can 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate enter and leave             my body?1.5             How can 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate affect my           health?1.6             Is there a medical test to determine whether I have been exposed to             2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate?1.7             What recommendations has the federal government made to protect             human health?1.8             Where can I get more information?ReferencesRELATED RESOURCESToxFAQ�47kToxFAQ�             en Español26kPublic Health Statement 119kToxicological             Profile9.4MBA-Z INDEXABCDEFGHIJ KLMNOPQ RSTUVWX Y ZATSDR RESOURCESToxFAQs�ToxFAQs�             en EspañolPublic Health             StatementsToxicological             ProfilesMinimum Risk             LevelsMMGsMHMIsInteraction             ProfilesPriority List of             Hazardous SubstancesDivision of             ToxicologyAugust 1998Public Health Statementfor2-Butoxyethanol and                   2-Butoxyethanol AcetateCAS#2-Butoxyethanol 111-76-22-Butoxyethanol Acetate                     112-07-2
This Public Health Statement is the                   summary chapter from the Toxicological                   Profile for 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate.                   It is one in a series of Public Health Statements about                   hazardous substances and their health effects. A shorter                   version, the ToxFAQs�,                   is also available. This information is important because this                   substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any                   hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you                   are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other                   chemicals are present. For more information, call the ATSDR                   Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. 

This public health statement tells you                   about 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate and the                   effects of exposure. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)                   identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the                   nation.  These sites make up the National Priorities List                   (NPL) and are the sites targeted for long-term federal                   clean-up activities.  2-Butoxyethanol has been found in                   at least 20 of the 1,430 current or former NPL sites.                    2-Butoxyethanol acetate has not been found at any of the 1,430                   current or former NPL sites.  However, the total number                   of NPL sites evaluated is not known.  As more sites are                   evaluated, the sites at which 2-butoxyethanol or                   2-butoxyethanol acetate are found may increase.  This is                   important because exposure to these substances may harm you                   and because these sites may be sources of exposure.  

When a substance is released from a large                   area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such                   as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment.  This                   release does not always lead to exposure.  You are                   exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with                   it.  You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking                   the substance or by skin contact.  

If you are exposed to 2-butoxyethanol or                   2-butoxyethanol acetate, many factors determine whether you'll                   be harmed.  These factors include the dose (how much),                   the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with                   it.  You must also consider the other chemicals you're                   exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle,                   and state of health. 
1.1                   What are 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate?
2-Butoxyethanol (bu-tox-zi-eth-an-ol) has                   many names, including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether,                   ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl                   ether, Butyl Cellosolve, butyl glycol, butyl Oxitol, glycol                   butyl ether, Dowanol EB, Gafcol EB, Poly-solv EB, and                   Ektasolve EB.  Common abbreviations for 2-butoxyethanol                   include BE and EGBE.  It is a clear, colorless liquid                   that smells somewhat like ether.  Most people can begin                   to smell 2-butoxyethanol in air at 0.10�0.40 parts of                   2-butoxyethanol per million parts of air (ppm).  These                   levels are about 500 times lower than the present standard for                   worker exposure.  2-Butoxyethanol has been found in air,                   water, and soil as a contaminant.  It is completely                   soluble in water and in most organic solvents.  This                   means that when 2-butoxyethanol and water or 2-butoxyethanol                   and organic solvents are mixed, the mixtures form one layer,                   unlike mixing oil and water which separate into two                   layers.  2-Butoxyethanol is a fire hazard when exposed to                   heat, sparks, or open flames. 

2-Butoxyethanol in the environment comes                   from some industrial activities.  It is usually produced                   by a reaction of ethylene oxide with butyl alcohol, but it may                   also be made by the reaction of ethylene glycol with dibutyl                   sulfate.  2-Butoxyethanol is widely used as a solvent in                   protective surface coatings such as spray lacquers, quick-dry                   lacquers, enamels, varnishes, and latex paints.  It is                   also used as an ingredient in paint thinners and strippers,                   varnish removers, agricultural chemicals, herbicides, silicon                   caulks, cutting oils, and hydraulic fluids.  It has other                   uses in metal cleaners, fabric dyes and inks, industrial and                   household cleaners (as a degreaser), and dry-cleaning                   compounds.  It is also used in liquid soaps and in                   cosmetics.  

The acetate (ass-e-tate) form of this                   chemical is 2-butoxyethanol acetate.  It is also known as                   ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, butoxyethyl acetate,                   butyl glycol acetate, ethylene glycol butyl ether acetate,                   acetic acid 2-butoxyethyl ester, glycol monobutyl ether                   acetate, Butyl Cellosolve acetate, or Ektasolve EB                   acetate.  Common abbreviations for 2-butoxyethanol                   acetate include BEA and EGBEA.  2-Butoxyethanol acetate                   has been found in air, water, and soil as a contaminant.                    It is a colorless liquid with a fruity odor.  Most people                   can begin to smell 2-butoxyethanol acetate in air at 0.10�0.48                   ppm.  It is only moderately soluble in water but is                   soluble in most organic solvents.  This means that when                   2-butoxyethanol acetate and water or 2-butoxyethanol and                   organic solvents are mixed, the mixtures form one layer,                   unlike mixing oil and water which separate into two                   layers.  2-Butoxyethanol acetate is a fire hazard when                   exposed to heat, sparks, flames, or oxidizers.  

2-Butoxyethanol acetate in the                   environment also comes from some industrial activities.                    It is prepared by reacting 2-butoxyethanol with acetic acid,                   acetic acid anhydride, or acetic acid chloride.                    2-Butoxyethanol acetate is widely used as a slow-evaporating                   solvent for lacquers, varnishes, epoxy resins, and                   enamels.  It is also used in polyvinyl acetate latex, and                   it may be used in some ink and spot remover formulations.                 
back                   to top1.2                   What happens to 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate                   when they enter the environment?
2-Butoxyethanol may be released into the                   environment at places where it is produced or used as a                   solvent.  Solvent-based household cleaners or building                   materials such as varnishes, lacquers, latex paints, and                   enamels may release 2-butoxyethanol into the air as they                   dry.  Municipal landfills and hazardous waste sites can                   also release 2-butoxyethanol to water that is under the                   ground.  

2-Butoxyethanol can pass into air from                   water and soil.  In the atmosphere, 2-butoxyethanol                   probably exists almost entirely as a vapor.  Once in the                   air, 2-butoxyethanol may be removed by precipitation (rain,                   snow, ice) or may break down to other compounds within a few                   days.  2-Butoxyethanol breaks down more slowly in water                   and soil than it does in air.  It can move out of                   contaminated soil and move into groundwater.                    2-Butoxyethanol does not build up in plants and animals.                    

2-Butoxyethanol acetate can pass into air                   from water and soil.  It is directly released to the                   atmosphere by evaporation while it is being used as a solvent                   in paints, lacquers, thinners, inks, ink and spot removers,                   and resins.  2-Butoxyethanol acetate probably exists                   almost entirely as a vapor in outdoor air.  It can be                   removed from the air by precipitation because it is moderately                   soluble in water.  In air, 2-butoxyethanol acetate may                   also break down to other compounds within a few days.                    2-Butoxyethanol acetate breaks down more slowly in water and                   soil than it does in air.  It can move out of                   contaminated soil and move into groundwater.                    2-Butoxyethanol acetate does not build up in plants and                   animals. 
back                   to top1.3                   How might I be exposed to 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol                   acetate?
Many people are exposed to small amounts                   of 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate every                   day.  You can be exposed to these chemicals in the                   environment, in the workplace, and at home.  Higher                   exposures usually occur in the workplace rather than in the                   environment or at home.  The general population is                   exposed to 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate mainly                   by breathing air or having skin contact with liquids,                   particularly household cleaners, that contain these                   compounds.  

You are less likely to be exposed by                   eating or drinking something that contains                   2-butoxyethanol.  The Food and Drug Administration has                   regulations to control its presence as a food                   contaminant.  However, some drinking water supplies have                   been shown to contain 2-butoxyethanol. 

Some people have been poisoned by                   accidentally or intentionally drinking consumer products such                   as all-purpose liquid cleaners containing                   2-butoxyethanol.  Some people who work in silk-screening,                   printing, furniture production and finishing, asbestos-mastic                   removal, and housekeeping occupations that use materials                   containing 2-butoxyethanol have been exposed to this                   chemical.  People who work in spray-painting operations,                   chemical production facilities, automobile repair shops,                   automobile manufacturing facilities, construction sites, and                   areas that have recently been remodeled using products that                   contain 2-butoxyethanol may also be exposed to this                   compound. 

You are most likely to be exposed to                   2-butoxyethanol acetate by inhaling the vapors and by skin                   contact with liquid and vapors.  Industrial exposures are                   most likely through inhalation of vapors, although excessive                   contact with eyes and skin may also occur.                    2-Butoxyethanol acetate is used as a solvent in latex paints,                   lacquers, epoxy resins, thinners, inks, stains, and varnishes,                   and in ink and spot removers.  People who use these                   products at work or at home can be exposed by inhaling the                   vapors or by skin or eye contact.  Exposure only occurs                   while these products are being used or while they are drying.                   
back                   to top1.4                   How can 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate enter and                   leave my body?
2-Butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol                   acetate can enter your body through your lungs when you                   breathe them.  They can also enter your body through your                   stomach and intestines when you eat food or drink water that                   contains either one.  They can enter your body through                   skin contact with liquid products such as paints, varnishes,                   ink and spot removers, and household cleaners.  If your                   skin comes in contact with vapors of these compounds in the                   air, some can also enter your body through your skin.                    The amount of vapor that enters through your skin is much less                   than the amount that enters through your lungs, especially if                   most of your skin is covered by clothing.  

When you are exposed to high levels of                   2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxyethanol acetate in air, some of the                   compound you breathe in leaves your body when you breathe                   out.  The remainder passes through the lining of your                   lungs and enters your bloodstream.  Both can also enter                   your bloodstream from your intestines if you swallow                   them.  They can enter your bloodstream through your skin                   if your skin comes into contact with cleaning products                   containing them or with the vapors in the air.  The                   amount of vapor that enters through your skin is much less                   than the amount that enters through your lungs, especially if                   most of your skin is covered by clothing.  Once in your                   bloodstream, 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate                   travel through your body to many organs and tissues, but they                   don't stay there very long.  2-Butoxyethanol and                   2-butoxyethanol acetate are converted to products, called                   metabolites, in the liver.  Scientists think that some of                   the effects of exposure to these chemicals are caused by                   metabolites.  Most of the metabolites of 2-butoxyethanol                   and 2-butoxyethanol acetate leave the body in the urine within                   24�48 hours after exposure.  Smaller amounts of                   metabolites leave the body in exhaled air and in the feces.                   
back                   to top1.5                   How can 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate affect my                   health?
After exposure to 2-butoxyethanol or                   2-butoxyethanol acetate, several factors determine whether                   harmful health effects will occur and, if they do, what the                   type and severity of these health effects might be.                    These factors include the amount of 2-butoxyethanol or                   2-butoxyethanol acetate to which you are exposed and the                   length of time of the exposure.  Other factors that must                   be considered include the other chemicals you're exposed to                   and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state                   of health. 

Some information about potential effects                   on people comes from an experiment in which men and women were                   exposed continuously to about 100 ppm or more of                   2-butoxyethanol vapors in air for 4 or 8 hours.  This                   level is twice as high as the occupational standard for                   2-butoxyethanol.  Some of these people reported                   irritation of the nose and eyes, headache, a metallic taste,                   or vomiting.  None of these people had effects on blood                   pressure or pulse.  In another experiment, people were                   exposed to 20 ppm of 2-butoxyethanol vapors in air for 2                   hours.  Lung tests (pulmonary function) and heart tests                   (heart rate and electrocardiogram) showed no harmful effects                   for any of these people.  Exposure to these solvents in                   the workplace involves both breathing in of vapors and skin                   contact with the liquids and vapors.  Workers are usually                   exposed to much higher levels than the levels normally                   encountered by the general population. 

Some information on harmful effects also                   comes from case reports of people who swallowed large amounts                   of cleaning agents containing 2-butoxyethanol.  These                   harmful effects included breathing problems, low blood                   pressure, lowered levels of hemoglobin (the substance in the                   blood that carries oxygen to organs of the body), blood in the                   urine, and metabolic acidosis (high levels of acid in the                   body).  The lowered levels of hemoglobin and blood in the                   urine indicate effects related to hemolysis, which involves                   destruction of red blood cells that results in the release of                   hemoglobin.  Some of these people fell into a coma but                   recovered after successful treatment in hospitals.                    People should keep household products containing                   2-butoxyethanol out of the reach of children.  

There are no data on whether                    2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxyethanol acetate cause reproductive                   effects, birth defects, or cancer in people. 

To protect the public from the harmful                   effects of toxic chemicals and to find ways to treat people                   who have been harmed, scientists use many tests.  

One way to see if a chemical will hurt                   people is to learn how the chemical is absorbed, used, and                   released by the body; for some chemicals, animal testing may                   be necessary.  Animal testing may also be used to                   identify health effects such as cancer or birth defects.                    Without laboratory animals, scientists would lose a basic                   method to get information needed to make wise decisions to                   protect public health.  Scientists have the                   responsibility to treat research animals with care and                   compassion.  Laws today protect the welfare of research                   animals, and scientists must comply with strict animal care                   guidelines.  

Other information on the harmful effects                   of 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate comes from                   animal testing.  The harmful effect most often reported                   in animals exposed to 2-butoxyethanol is destruction of red                   blood cells that results in the release of hemoglobin, which                   is known as hemolysis.  Effects related to hemolysis                   include increased hemoglobin levels in the urine, blood in the                   urine, and the build-up of hemoglobin and destroyed red blood                   cells in organs such as the kidney, spleen, and liver.                    These effects have been found in monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits,                   and dogs after exposure to high levels of 2-butoxyethanol in                   air for short and intermediate periods.  These effects                   have also been found in rats and mice that swallowed high                   doses of 2-butoxyethanol for short and intermediate periods,                   and in rats and rabbits with skin contact for short                   periods.  2-Butoxyethanol acetate also caused these                   effects in rats or rabbits that breathed, swallowed, or had                   skin contact with 2-butoxyethanol acetate.  Some studies                   showed that the red blood cells of animals (rats, rabbits, and                   baboons) are much more likely to be destroyed than the red                   blood cells of people after exposure to 2-butoxyethanol.                    

Other harmful effects of 2-butoxyethanol                   have been seen in animals.  Breathing problems occurred                   in rats and mice that breathed or swallowed large amounts of                   2-butoxyethanol for short periods.  Bloody or reddened                   stomach or intestines, probably related to hemolysis, were                   seen in rats that swallowed very high doses of 2-butoxyethanol                   and in rabbits that had skin contact with very large                   amounts.  Harmful effects on the liver and kidney were                   seen in some animals and may be related to hemolysis.                    2-Butoxyethanol is also irritating to the skin and eyes of                   animals, as it is in people.  

2-Butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol                   acetate do not seem to have effects on the immune system of                   animals.  Like many solvents, 2-butoxyethanol causes                   nervous system effects in animals.  Some rats, dogs, and                   rabbits developed physical weakness and unsteadiness after                   exposure to very high levels of 2-butoxyethanol in air for                   short periods.  Some rats and mice also became sluggish,                   drowsy, or prostrate after swallowing very large doses of                   2-butoxyethanol for short periods.  Some rabbits also                   became inactive or prostrate, had abnormal eye movement, or                   had convulsions after skin contact with very large amounts of                   2-butoxyethanol.  

2-Butoxyethanol can cause reproductive                   effects and birth defects in animals.  Some female rats                   and rabbits that breathed in large amounts of 2-butoxyethanol                   while they were pregnant delivered fewer offspring than                   pregnant rats or rabbits that were not exposed.  Some of                   the offspring had underdeveloped bones.  Other                   reproductive effects and birth defects in animals have only                   been observed at doses that were toxic to the adult                   animals.  Some female rats had changes in their estrous                   cycles after drinking water containing 2-butoxyethanol for                   moderate periods of time.  Some female rats and mice had                   vaginal bleeding and fewer offspring after swallowing large                   doses of 2-butoxyethanol while they were pregnant.  Some                   of the offspring of pregnant mice that swallowed very large                   doses had cleft palates.  Some offspring of pregnant mice                   that swallowed large doses of 2-butoxyethanol also weighed                   less.  

2-Butoxyethanol does not seem to cause                   mutations.  No studies were found that tested either                   2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxyethanol acetate for causing cancer                   in animals. 
back                   to top1.6 Is                   there a medical test to determine whether I have been exposed                   to 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate?
Some tests can show whether you have been                   exposed to 2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxyethanol acetate.                    2-Butoxyethanol (from 2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxyethanol                   acetate exposure) can be measured in blood and urine.  In                   the body, both are converted to products called metabolites,                   such as 2-butoxyacetic acid.  Certain metabolites of                   2-butoxyethanol (2-butoxyacetic acid and others) can be                   measured in the urine.  These tests will not necessarily                   be able to tell how much you have been exposed to.  These                   tests need to be done within a day after exposure because                   2-butoxyethanol and its metabolites leave your body within                   24�48 hours.  Certain blood tests can determine if your                   red blood cells are damaged, but this effect is not specific                   for 2-butoxyethanol.  Some of these tests may be                   available at your doctor's office, or your doctor can send                   blood or urine samples to laboratories that specialize in                   performing these tests.  If workers are exposed to                   concentrations of 5 ppm or above, the National Institute for                   Occupational Safety and Health recommends that the level of                   2-butoxyacetic acid in the urine be measured.  
back                   to top1.7                   What recommendations has the federal government made to                   protect human health?
The federal government develops                   regulations and recommendations to protect public                   health.  Regulations can be enforced by law.                    Federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic substances                   include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the                   Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the                   Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Recommendations                   provide valuable guidelines to protect public health but                   cannot be enforced by law.  Federal organizations that                   develop recommendations for toxic substances include the                   Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and                   the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health                   (NIOSH).  

Regulations and recommendations can be                   expressed in not-to-exceed levels in air, water, soil, or food                   that are usually based on levels that affect animals; then                   they are adjusted to help protect people.  Sometimes                   these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal organizations                   because of different exposure times (an 8-hour workday or a                   24-hour day), the use of different animal studies, or other                   factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also                   periodically updated as more information becomes                   available.  For the most current information, check with                   the federal agency or organization that provides it.                    Some regulations and recommendations for 2-butoxyethanol                   include the following: 

OSHA requires employers of workers who                   are occupationally exposed to 2-butoxyethanol to institute                   engineering controls and work practices to reduce and maintain                   employee exposure at or below the permissible exposure limit                   (PEL).  The PEL for 2-butoxyethanol is 50 ppm.  This                   regulation means that the workroom air should not contain no                   more than an average of 50 ppm of 2-butoxyethanol over an                   8-hour working shift of a 40-hour work week.  The                   American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists                   (ACGIH) has recommended an average concentration limit value                   of 25 ppm for occupational exposure (8-hour workday and a                   40-hour workweek) to 2-butoxyethanol.  The recommended                   exposure limit (REL) for occupational exposure by NIOSH is 5                   ppm for both 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol                   acetate.  This recommendation means that the workroom air                   should contain no more than an average of 5 ppm of                   2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxyethanol acetate for up to a 10-hour                   working shift of a 40 hour workweek.  OSHA recommends                   that workers who may be exposed to 2-butoxyethanol should wear                   personal protective equipment such as gloves, coveralls, and                   goggles to protect against exposure to the skin and                   eyes.  

Both 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol                   acetate are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including the                   National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.                 
back                   to top1.8                   Where can I get more information?
If you have any more questions or                   concerns, please contact your community or state health or                   environmental quality department or:
Agency for Toxic Substances                     and Disease Registry Division of Toxicology1600                     Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32Atlanta, GA 30333                   
Information line and technical                   assistance:
Phone: 888-422-8737 FAX:                     (770)-488-4178
ATSDR can also tell you the location of                   occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics                   specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses                   resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. 

To order toxicological profiles,                   contact:
National Technical Information                     Service5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161                     Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000 back                   to topReferences
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease                   Registry (ATSDR). 1998. Toxicological                   profile for 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate.                   Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,                   Public Health Service.  
back                   to top
ATSDR Information Center / ATSDRIC@cdc.gov / 1-888-422-8737 This page was updated on August , 2008

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