'Listen' to your body ... if it complains about a chemical exposure: coughing, headache, fatigue, eyes burning & hurting, to name a few.

My only expertise is that I recognize the pattern of 2-butoxyethanol exposure, Not unlike a NASA man did in his field some years back  and anyone who is interested in this, could do the same in a very short while.

A man of the 'baby boomer group' shared that 3 years ago he had dramatic weight loss, and diabetes show up.

I would be concerned about the weight loss & liver issues... but, as usual, diabetes gets blamed for more than it should, in my opinion.  He also shared that he & his wife had a Down's Syndrome child

He said he also had a parent who served in WWII ... and I've been wondering about health issues to future generations of that group. There could be more things that are 'late to show up birth defects' than you might imagine

These are some of the thoughts I've just sent to him

Is the 'fatigue' syndrome pattern there? for them or someone in the family line?

This list is a little more detailed, or take any from the 'chronic fatigue syndrome' list. It will vary some, but the basic odd assortment should show up. I suggest you take this with you when you see your doctor, if several of them apply in your case.

The harm of 2-butoxyethanol is well known by researchers. Some info on it is better than others, however. To do your own search put the chemical you want to know about and MSDS in the search engine ... (stands for Material Safety Data Sheet) The missing link
... is doctors & their patients recognizing it when they see it.

Diann e-mail

This chemical looks like the flu *

    Question...
You said,  "I was visiting with a man who shared that 3 years ago he had dramatic weight loss, and diabetes show up.  And he shared that he had a Down's Syndrome child.  His dad was also in WWII military"

"I would be concerned about the weight loss & liver issues ... but, as usual, diabetes gets blamed for more than it should, in my opinion."

The first sign of type 1 diabetes is usually dramatic weight loss. Remember that type 1 and type 2 are different animals.

Ms D

C6H14O2/CH3(CH2)2CH2OCH2CH2OH 

Answer:

The effects of the 2-butoxyethanol chemical has lots of variations ...
Probably why it's not blamed for anything it does.

It would be something that's autoimmune,
and even in type 2 diabetes, there is an autoimmune aspect

Insulin-resistant diabetes

In diabetes mellitus, autoantibodies are formed against insulin receptors. Insulin receptor  * source    * I still contend

Other things that are autoimmune

I think it would be worth some research money to find out what has happened, and is happening to the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers. Those with the 'for sure' exposure to 2-butoxyethanol. Would look just like the 'gulf war syndrome' vets

and would look just like those in the civilian population with severe Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction syndrome: CFS, FM for short (subsets of the larger CFIDS)

Web Page

June 26, 2006

A low grade exposure to 2-butoxyethanol would cause a loosening of the sinuses .... 'Sniffles' and loosening of the bowels ... flatulence or farting a lot ... to extreme diarrhea.
 
You can get exposed to this chemical ... not only from someone in the family line, but most people today get their own direct exposure OR second hand from someone else (someone can breathe it out with their respiration) ... say someone who has been painting or cleaning or working with jet fuels or things that carpenters & mechanics use

"High or repeated exposure can break down red blood cells, and cause anemia. 

It can also damage the liver and kidneys."

 
 
We no longer use 409 Cleaner, Lysol Tub 'n Tile, Simple Green, Scrubbing Bubbles, Spot Shot Carpet cleaner (that's really bad as it is in aerosol - misting ... & it is way too strong in the product ... 25% ... & 5% isn't safe for home use)  Oven cleaner is a big bad product, too.
Janitorial Project Logo

EPA & CA did a study

Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project - Sponsored by US EPA, State of California, Santa Clara County, the City of Richmond, and the Local Government Commission. Written by Thomas Barron, Carol Berg, and Linda Bookman. 6/99.  *6% of professional janitors are harmed each year from cleaning compounds.

   

Health Effects From Full-Strength Ingredient

CAS Number

Ingredient Name

Eye Effects

Skin Effects

Skin Absorb?

Inhalation Effects

Chronic Effects

H

F R

00111-76-2

2-Butoxy Ethanol

Irr

Irr

Yes

 

Reproductive & Fetal Effects; Liver & Kidney Damage; Blood Damage

2

2 0

00112-34-5

Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether

Irr

Irr

Yes

Slight

Kidney damage; CNS effects

1

2

0

New Jersey Workers' Right-to-Know Fact Sheet

NJ Hazardous Chemical Fact sheet on 2-butoxyethanol