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CONTENTS

1.1 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?

August 1998

Public Health Statement

for

2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Butoxyethanol Acetate

CAS# 2-Butoxyethanol 111-76-2

2-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 ToxFAQsTM, 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. 
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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, quickdry 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 drycleaning 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. 

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1.2 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. 

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1.3 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. 

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1.4 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. 

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1.5 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. 

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1.6 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. 

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1.7 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. 

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1.8 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 Toxicology 

1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32 

Atlanta, 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 Service 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000 

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References

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. 

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ATSDR Information Center / ATSDRIC@cdc.gov / 1-888-422-8737 

This page was updated on August , 2008

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