Well....

Remember that "all things are toxic and that it is the dose that makes the poison".

In this agency we take the above as gospel.  Our focus therefore is on RISK.

Risk is always the qualifier when confronted with "is it safe?" questions.   The answer must contain the words "when used as directed".  

In this case I would say that if proper clothing and breathing apparatus was used, and if proper post-operational prophylaxis was followed then the RISK of adverse human effect would be very small.

 

IDENTIFICATION: 2-Butoxyethanol is a high production volume glycol ether. It is a colorless liquid that

is miscible in water and soluble in most organic solvents. 2-Butoxyethanol is used widely as a solvent in

surface coatings, such as spray lacquers, quick dry lacquers, enamels, varnishes, varnish removers and latex

paint. HUMAN EXPOSURE: Based on limited data, ambient exposures in air are generally in the ug/cu m

range. Industrial exposure of the general population to this chemical is most likely from inhalation and dermal

absorption during the use of products containing 2-butoxyethanol. Levels of airborne 2-butoxyethanol in

occupational settings are typically in the mg/cu m range. The results of in vitro studies indicate that human

red blood cells are not as sensitive to the hemolytic effects of 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyacetic acid

and also that red blood cells are more sensitive to hemolysis by 2-butoxyacetic acid than to hemolysis by

2-butoxyethanol. ANIMAL STUDIES: 2-Butoxyethanol is readily absorbed following inhalation, oral or

dermal exposure. The chemical is metabolized via alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, with the formation

of 2-butoxyacetaldehyde and 2-butoxyacetic acid, the principal metabolite, although other metabolic

pathways have also been identified. This chemical has moderate acute toxicity and it is irritating to the eyes

and skin; it is not a skin sensitizer. The principal effect exerted by 2-butoxyethanol and its metabolite

2-butoxyacetic acid is hematotoxicity, with the rat being the most sensitive species. In rats, adverse effects

on the central nervous system, kidneys and liver occur at higher exposure concentrations than do the

hemolytic effects. In animals, adverse effects on reproduction and development have not been observed at

less than toxic doses. Although the results of in vitro tests for mutagenicity of 2-butoxyethanol were

inconsistent, the absence of structural alerts and the negative findings from in vivo studies indicate that

2-butoxyethanol is not mutagenic.

[World Health Organization/International Programme on Chemical Safety. Concise

International Chemical Assessment Document No. 10. 2-Butoxyethanol p.4

(1998)]**QC REVIEWED**

 

-----Original Message-----
From: realhelp@alaska.net [mailto:realhelp@alaska.net]
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 3:07 PM
To: Prince, George R.
Subject: OK except for 2-butoxyethanol?