IRIS Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether (EGBE) (External Review Draft)

The draft Toxicological Review of EGBE provides scientific information on the effects pertaining to exposure to EGBE. EGBE was nominated for reassesement by OAQPS in response to a delisting petition filed by the ACC. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (also known as 2-butoxyethanol) is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It is widely used as a solvent in various applications such as in surface coatings, spray lacquer, quick-dry lacquers, enamels, varnishes, varnish removers, latex paint, and metal cleaners and in commercially available cleaning products. The chemical is released to the environment primarily through the use of commercial and household cleaning products. EGBE is a high production volume chemical with an estimated 390 million pounds produced in the United States in 1992 (NTP, 2000). Human exposure to ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) is predominantly occupational via inhalation and dermal contact. Individuals employed in the manufacture, processing, and handling of EGBE will have potentially higher exposures (ATSDR, 1998). The primary routes of EGBE exposure to the general population are inhalation of contaminated indoor air and dermal contact with household products containing EGBE. The assessment will present reference values for the noncancer effects of EGBE (RfD and RfC), where supported by available data, and a cancer assessment.

Concluding this review, it is expected that there will be a final risk assessment in 2008 that will be published on the IRIS website.