2-Butoxyethanol

2-Butoxyethanol (2-BE) is an organic solvent with the formula CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet, ether-like odour. It is a butyl ether of ethylene glycol, but should not be confused with it.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

How to quickly check pipettes?

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Production

In 2006, the total European production of all butyl glycol ethers amounted to 181 kilotons per annum (kt/a), approximately 50% (90 kt/a) of which was 2-butoxyethanol. World production is estimated to be 200 to 500 kt/a, of which 75% is for paints and coatings.

Main producers include:

• ICI
• Union Carbide
• BP Chemicals
• Shell Chemicals

Uses

The main use of 2-butoxyethanol is as a solvent in paints and surface coatings, followed by cleaning products and inks. Other products which contain 2-butoxyethanol include acrylic resin formulations, asphalt release agents, firefighting foam, leather protectors, oil spill dispersants and photographic strip solutions. 2-Butoxyethanol is a primary ingredient of various whiteboard cleaners, liquid soaps, cosmetics, dry cleaning solutions, lacquers, varnishes, herbicides, and latex paints. It also seems to be excellent at killing most insects and arachnids.

It is the main ingredient of many home, commercial, and industrial cleaning solutions. It is manufactured by the Eastman Kodak company under catalog # EK1364579, and Kodak Laboratory Chemicals catalog # P2270.

Health and safety

It is recommended that one use precautions when working with glycol ethers such as 2-butoxyethanol. Employers are required by United States federal law to inform employees when they are working with these substances.^[1]

Environmental impact

2-Butoxyethanol usually decomposes in the environment within a few days and has not been identified as a major environmental contaminant. It is not known to build up in any plant or animal species.^{[citation needed]}

This compound is on California's list of toxic air contaminants. Some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, such as testicular damage, reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects.^[2] People exposed to high levels of EGBE for several hours have reported nose and eye irritation, headaches, vomiting and a metallic taste in their mouths. In addition to inhaling 2-butoxyethanol vapor, research has shown that skin can also absorb 2-butoxyethanol vapor from the air, making skin a major pathway of exposure to this chemical.

2-Butoxyethanol is frequently found in popular cleaning products. It is difficult for consumers to know whether their favorite cleaner contains the chemical because manufacturers aren't required to list it on the label.^[3][4]

In recent years 2-butoxyethanol has come under increased scrutiny in Canada, and Environment and Health Canada has recommend that it be added to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).^[5]

References

1. ^ Glycol Ethers Fact Sheet. California Hazard Evaluation and Information Service.
2. ^ Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl. Environmental Health Perspectives.
3. ^ Jane Kay. "Hazard warning on home cleaners: Study says many use chemicals linked to fertility problems", San Francisco Chronicle. 
4. ^ Alexandra Gorman. Potential Hazards of Home Cleaning Products. Women's Voices for the Earth.
5. ^ Current Use Patterns in Canada, Toxicology Profiles of Alternatives, and the Feasibility of Performing an Exposure Assessment Survey. Environment Canada.