Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review finds 2-butoxyethanol causes red blood cell damage and hemolytic anemia in animal studies via inhalation, skin exposure and ingestion. Humans may be less sensitive.
high
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review finds inhalation of 2-butoxyethanol causes liver damage in lab animals.
high
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review finds ingestion of 2-butoxyethanol causes liver damage in lab animals.
high
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review finds inhalation of 2-butoxyethanol causes forestomach ulcers in lab animals.
high
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
Harmful in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
moderate
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Harmful if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
moderate
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review finds inhalation of 2-butoxyethanol causes hyperplasia of the stomach lining and bone marrow in lab animals.
moderate
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
causes damage to organs
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes central nervous system depression
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review finds inhalation of low levels of 2-butoxyethanol causes respiratory irritation in humans.
some
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
upper respiratory tract irritation
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Harmful in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes skin irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
low
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Not known to cause asthma
low
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
Only in: Household Cleaners
low
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
low
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review suggests 2-butoxyethanol is not mutagenic.
low
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review finds 2-butoxyethanol is not toxic to reproduction or development.
low
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) (CAS No. 111-76-2) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA/635/R-08/006F.
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause genetic defects
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause cancer
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause cancer
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity (to females)
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity (to males)
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known to cause reproductive toxicity
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Carcinogenic to humans
some
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Suspected of causing cancer
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Known to cause cancer
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Reasonably Anticipated To Be Human Carcinogen
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes pulmonary edema
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin corrosion
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes reproductive effects
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes leukemia
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes peritoneal cancer
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
cancer
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
central nervous system impairment
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Asthmagen (irritation)
some
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes cancer
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
liver damage
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
suspected human carcinogen
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
some
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
May cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
May cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes eye corrosion
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes skin irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
may cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
Causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: ETHYLENE OXIDE
This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration
Only in: Household Cleaners
low
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA - Priority based Assessment of Food Additive (PAFA)
Impurity: 1,4-DIOXANE
EPA testing shows this substance has low acute toxicity to aquatic life
low
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database