Margaret,
As much as I
appreciate your enthusiasm, you've literally jumped
from one illness to another yet provided absolutely
no rock solid proof at all for any of those
illnesses.
I grew up in a family
where we never bought store cleaning products,
granny made her own, mom made hers, and my sister
made hers all from vinegar and water to alcohol and
water, club soda and baking soda, only cleaning
product mom or my sister ever bought was bath,
laundry and dish soap.
No one in my family
worked with near or around anything that would have
used 2-butoxyethanol so with this being the
situation how would this have caused or be proven to
cause autism?
Now, having said that,
we do have a lead as to what caused my nephews
autism, as well as my sisters cancer. My dad, mom,
sister and myself drank, bathed, washed laundry,
cooked with and cleaned with the water from the
wells on the El Toro Marine base which had been
extremely and very heavily contaminated with TCE &
PCE cleaning compounds. That base is now one of the
133 bases on the EPA Superfund list. And to this day
remains vacated land unihabited due to contamination
and estimates now is that it will cost $490 million
dollars to clean it up, maybe in 10 years.
I do know for fact
that 2-butoxyethanol is a product in kerosene, is a
degreaser, jet fuel additive, and was used in mixing
AO chemicals for spraying, however, one statement
you made was that jet fuel was sprayed and it
wasn't. Had it been there would have been many jets
have caught on fire.
I did put a call into
my dad's former doctor who is a Senior Profession of
Medicine at UCI medical center, and is one of the 8
top physicians in the country regarding ALS,
Parkinson's and MD. He has told me point blank,
there is no anecdotal evidence or scientific proof
2-butoxyethanol has anything to do with ALS,
Parkinson's or MD or Alzheimers.
He then referred me to
a Professor of Immunology at UCI, I am still
awaiting his call, but I also put a call into a
doctor in Boston, and one in Chicago as well to
discuss this further with them.
I did receive a call
back from an associate professor who referred me to
two pieces of information, pasted below.
1)
What purpose does it serve to claim many
illnesses with out proof positive?
2)
What purpose does it serve to inform veterans
of these "illnesses" due to 2-butoxyethanol when
they will run out, file a claim, and be denied as
there is no proof, it's not been approved by the VA.
This in turn pisses off a vet as he/she will think
it's the VA as usual deny, deny until they die
attitude when in fact it has nothing to do with
that, it's just simply not recognized, and in order
to have that done has to follow through the process
of Congress and the Senate, then the President, and
even then can still be challenged by the Director of
the VA.
3)
What is your actual goal in dealing with
2-butoxyethanol?
a)
Have it banned?
b)
Noted on all household products cleaning and
medical products?
The known illnesses it (2-butoxyethanol) can
cause & those less likely:
a)
Soft tissue sarcoma
b)
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
c)
Hodgkin's disease
d)
Chloracne (this is from dioxin)
e)
Porphyria cutanea tarda (in genetically
susceptible individuals)
f)
Respiratory cancers (lung, larynx, trachea)
(LIMITED EVIDENCE)
g)
Prostate cancer (LIMITED EVIDENCE)
h)
Multiple myeloma (LIMITED EVIDENCE)
i)
PCT is a liver disorder characterized by
thinning and blistering of the skin
j)
Hepatobiliary cancers (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
k)
Nasal/nasopharyngeal cancer (INADEQUATE
EVIDENCE)
l)
Bone cancer (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
m)
Female reproductive cancers (breast,
cervical, uterine, ovarian) (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
n)
Renal cancer (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
o)
Testicular cancer (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
p)
Leukemia (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
q)
Spontaneous abortion (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
r)
Birth defects (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
s)
Neonatal/infant death and stillbirths
(INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
t)
Low birthweight (INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
u)
Childhood cancer in offspring (INADEQUATE
EVIDENCE)
v)
Abnormal sperm parameters and infertility
(INADEQUATE EVIDENCE)
w)
Cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders
(Inadequate/Insufficient Evidence to Determine)
x)
Motor/coordination dysfunction
(Inadequate/Insufficient Evidence to Determine)
y)
Peripheral nervous system disorders
(Inadequate/Insufficient Evidence to Determine)
z)
Metabolic and digestive disorders
(diabetes, changes in liver enzymes, lipid
abnormalities, ulcers) (Inadequate/Insufficient
Evidence to Determine)
aa)
Immune system disorders
(immune modulation and autoimmunity)
(Inadequate/Insufficient Evidence to Determine)
bb)
Circulatory disorders
(Inadequate/Insufficient Evidence to Determine)
cc)
Respiratory disorders
(Inadequate/Insufficient Evidence to Determine)
Often one chemical
compound may be used, but can be altered genetically
by another compound added, making it something
totally different, or completely harmless. That
much I do remember from college chemistry, and
confirmed with an MD.
At any rate, if you
will tell me what it is you’re trying to accomplish,
maybe I can point you in the right direction.
But I still have to
stand firm on sending notification of any illness to
veterans where by the can make no valid claim, only
hurting vets more and more.
It’s truly hard enough
to get veterans to fight for their rights but them
filing a claim to be denied makes it 10 times harder
and worse.
Regards,
Jim
*************************************************************************************
DEFINITION:
2-Butoxyethanol is an
organic solvent with the formula C6H14O2. 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.
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
Eastman Chemical
The Dow Chemical
Company
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, bowling pin and lane degreaser, 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.
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.
Some animal studies
indicate that it produces reproductive problems,
such as reduced fertility, death of embryos and
birth defects. People exposed to
high levels of
2-butoxyethanol 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 are not
required to list it on the label.
This compound is on
California's list of
hazardous substances, though it was removed
from the
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's
list of hazardous air pollutants in 1994.
In recent years
2-butoxyethanol has come under increased scrutiny in
Canada, and Environment and Health Canada has
recommended that it be added to Schedule 1 of the
Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).
William Nazaroff, a
professor of environmental engineering and chairman
of the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley,
has argued that EGBE should have remained on the
federal contaminants list, and concluded in a study
that the use of some common household cleaning
products containing EGBE could expose people to
levels 12 times greater than California's one-hour
guideline, especially when indoor use is considered.
These products are not required to list it on the
label when diluted to a certain point. The safety of
the products is defended by the
American Chemistry
Council and
the Soap and Detergent Association,
industry trade groups.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
|
ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS
for the Vietnam Veteran
TABLE 1-1
Summary of Findings in Occupational,
Environmental, and Veterans Studies
Regarding the Association Between
Specific Health Problems and Exposure to
Herbicides
Sufficient Evidence of an Association
Evidence
is sufficient to conclude that there is
a positive association. That is, a
positive association has been observed
between herbicides and the outcome in
studies in which chance, bias, and
confounding could be ruled out with
reasonable confidence. For example, if
several small studies that are free from
bias and confounding show an association
that is consistent in magnitude and
direction, there may be sufficient
evidence for an association. There is
sufficient evidence of an association
between exposure to herbicides and the
following health outcomes:
Soft tissue sarcoma
*
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's disease
Chloracne
(this is from dioxin)
Porphyria cutanea tarda (in genetically
susceptible individuals)
Limited/Suggestive Evidence of an
Association
Evidence
is suggestive of an association between
herbicides and the outcome but is
limited because chance, bias, and
confounding could not be ruled out with
confidence. For example, at least one
high-quality study shows a positive
association, but the results of other
studies are inconsistent. There is
limited/suggestive evidence of an
association between exposure to
herbicides and the following health
outcomes:
Respiratory cancers (lung, larynx,
trachea)
Prostate cancer
Multiple
myeloma
The
committee examined more than 230
epidemiological studies in detail on a
range of health problems and their
possible association with herbicides. It
found sufficient evidence of a
statistical association between exposure
to herbicides or dioxin and soft tissue
sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and
Hodgkin's disease. The committee also
found sufficient evidence of an
association between herbicides or
dioxin
and chloracne and PCT.
-
Chloracne
is a specific acne-like skin
disorder;
-
PCT
is a liver disorder characterized by
thinning and blistering of the skin
Indequate/Insufficient Evidence to
Determine Whether an Association Exists
The
available studies are of insufficient
quality, consistency, or statistical
power to permit a conclusion regarding
the presence or absence of an
association. For example, studies fail
to control for confounding, have
inadequate exposure assessment, or fail
to address latency. There is inadequate
or insufficient evidence to determine
whether an association exists between
exposure to herbicides and the following
health outcomes:
Hepatobiliary cancers
Nasal/nasopharyngeal cancer
Bone
cancer
Female
reproductive cancers (breast, cervical,
uterine, ovarian)
Renal
cancer
Testicular
cancer
Leukemia
Spontaneous abortion
Birth
defects
Neonatal/infant death and stillbirths
Low
birthweight
Childhood
cancer in offspring
Abnormal
sperm parameters and infertility
Inadequate/Insufficient Evidence to
Determine Whether an Association Exists
Cognitive
and neuropsychiatric disorders
Motor/coordination dysfunction
Peripheral
nervous system disorders
Metabolic
and digestive disorders
(diabetes, changes in liver
enzymes, lipid abnormalities, ulcers)
Immune
system disorders
(immune modulation and
autoimmunity)
Circulatory disorders
Respiratory disorders
Limited/Suggestive Evidence of No
Association
Several
adequate studies, covering the full
range of levels of exposure that human
beings are known to encounter, are
mutually consistent in not showing a
positive association between exposure to
herbicides and the outcome at any level
of exposure. A conclusion of 'no
association' is inevitably limited to
the conditions, level of exposure, and
length of observation covered by the
available studies. In addition, the
possibility of a very small elevation in
risk at the levels of exposure studied
can never be excluded. There is
limited/suggestive evidence of no
association between exposure to
herbicides and the following health
outcomes:
Skin
cancer
Gastrointestinal tumors (stomach cancer,
pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, rectal
cancer)
Bladder
cancer
Brain
tumors
not that
rare
NOTE: 'Herbicides' refers to the major
herbicides used in Vietnam: 2,4-D
(2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid);
2,4,5-T (2,4,5-tricbIorophenoxyacetic
acid) and its contaminant TCDD
(2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin);
cacodylic acid; and picloram. The
evidence regarding association is drawn
from occupational and other studies in
which subjects were exposed to a variety
of herbicides and herbicide components.
Source:
http://www.landscaper.net/agent.htm
page bottom
|
*
We know that
this may be what
Dioxin does by
itself, per a
contemporary
leader in the
Baltics who was
given 6,000
times the normal
amount of
dioxin. The
other? ....
more likely the
herbicide or the
2-butoxyethanol
in the kerosene
- Used to help
the 'dioxin mix'
adhere to the
foliage
2-26-05 comment |
|
|
|
Summary
If Dioxin
was the
'fall guy' for the Vietnam vets'
harm,
and DU,
vaccinations and Saran Gas were
the 'fall
guy' for the first Gulf War, (04
looking for a neurotoxin)
at
what
2-butoxyethanol would do,
is it
still a 'match?'
*
3-6-05
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