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Butyl Carbitol

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General Description
    Synonyms: 2-(2-Butoxyethoxy)ethanol; Butoxydiethylene glycol; Butoxydiglycol; Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether; Diethylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether; Dowanol DB

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0471

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 112-34-5

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: KJ9100000

    Chemical Description and Physical Properties: Colorless liquid
      molecular formula: C8H18O3
      molecular weight: 162.26
      boiling point: 230.4°C
      vapor pressure: 3 Pa @ 20°C
      flash point: 78°C
      melting point: -68°C
Health Factors
    Potential symptoms: Eye, skin irritation; high systemic doses in animals caused small decreases in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit; enlarged livers and kidney damage

    Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes---Moderate (HE15)

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, liver, kidneys

    Notes:
    1. OSHA does not have a PEL for butyl carbitol, which can form explosive vapor/air mixtures at temperatures above 78°C.
    2. Measurement of the metabolite in human urine, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)acetic acid, has been used for biomonitoring the exposure of floor lacquerers to butyl carbitol. An 8-hr exposure to 0.05 ± 0.03 ppm butyl carbitol resulted in a urinary metabolite concentration of 9.2 ± 7.4 mmol/mol creatinine.
    3. A NOAEL of 250 mg/kg/day for butyl carbitol was reported for 13-week oral toxicity studies in rats.
    4. Rare cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported for individuals exposed to butyl carbinol in printing inks, water-based paints, or disinfectants.

    Date Last Revised: 09/25/2006

    Literature Basis:
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether.
    • NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances, RTECS #: KJ9100000: Ethanol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-.
    • Berlin, K., Johanson, G. and Lindberg, M.: Hypersensitivity to 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol. Contact Dermatitis 32(1): 54, 1995.
    • Dawson, T.A.J., Black, R.J., Strang, W.C., Millership, J.S. and Davies, I.A.I.: Delayed and immediate hypersensitivity to carbitols. Contact Dermatitis 21(1): 52-53, 1989.
    • Johnson, K.A., Baker, P.C., Kan, H.L., Maurissen, J.P., Spencer, P.J., Marty, M.S.: Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE): two- and thirteen-week oral toxicity studies in Fischer 344 rats. Food Chem. Toxicol. 43(3) 467-481, 2005.
    • Laitinen, J. and Pulkkinen, J.: Biomonitoring of 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanols by analysing urinary 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)acetic acids. Toxicol. Lett. 156(1): 117-126, 2005.
    • Schliemann-Willers, S., Bauer, A. and Elsner, P.: Occupational contact dermatitis from diethylene glycol monobutyl ether in a podiatrist. Contact Dermatitis 43(4): 225, 2000.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Charcoal Tubes (100/50 mg sections; 20/40 mesh)
      analytical solvent: (95:5) Methylene Chloride:Methanol
      maximum volume: 10 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA PV2095)
      method classification: Partially Validated

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