2-BUTOXYETHANOL | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

2-BUTOXYETHANOL†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	111-76-2
Formula	C₆H₁₄O₂
Synonyms	butyl cellosolve; butyl oxitol; EGBE

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless liquid with a mild, ether-like odor.
Boiling point	339°F	Molecular weight	118.2
Freezing point/melting point	-107°F	Vapor pressure	0.8 mmHg
Flash point	143°F	Vapor density	4.07
Specific gravity	0.9	Ionization potential	10.00 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	1.1% at 200°F	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	12.7% at 275°F
NFPA health rating	3	NFPA fire rating	2
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	0435
Sampling group	OVSG-2
Sampler/Sampling media	2 Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82], tube holder [SKC 222-3L-1], Type D cover [SKC 224-29D]
Sampling time^*	240 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	12 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.05 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA 5001 (fully validated)
Notes
Special requirements	Separate and seal each tube after sampling.

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	50 ppm (240 mg/m³)	REL-TWA	5 ppm (24 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA		PEL-TWA	20 ppm (97 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	Y
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes: Visit the ACGIH TLV site for specific data BEI®		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	700 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: TLV-A3, EPA-NL, IARC-3		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - 2-Butoxyethanol

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) -2-Butoxyethanol. See annual publication for most recent information.
ATSDR: Toxicological Profile for 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Butoxyethanol Acetate. 1998.
EPA: Integrated Risk Information System - Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE)(2-Butoxyethanol) (CASRN 111-76-2). 2010.
Haufroid, V., Thirion, F., Mertens, P., Buchet, J.-P. and Lison, D.: Biological monitoring of workers exposed to low levels of 2-butoxyethanol. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 70(4): 232-236, 1997.
Hung PC, Cheng SF, Liou SH, Tsai SW: Biological monitoring of low-level 2-butoxyethanol exposure in decal transfer workers in bicycle manufacturing factories. Occup Environ Med. 68(10):777-82, October 2011.
Jakasa, I., Mohammadi, N., Kruse, J. and Kezic, S.: Percutaneous absorption of neat and aqueous solutions of 2-butoxyethanol in volunteers. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 77(2): 79-84, 2004.
Jones, K., Cocker, J., Dodd, L.J. and Fraser, I.: Factors affecting the extent of dermal absorption of solvent vapors - a human volunteer study to investigate biological monitoring methods for 2-butoxyethanol. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 47(2): 145-150, 2003.
Jones, K. and Cocker, J.: A human exposure study to investigate biological monitoring methods for 2-butoxyethanol. Biomarkers 8(5): 360-370, 2003.
NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether and Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether Acetate. September 1990.
NTP: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies 2-Butoxyethanol (CAS NO. 111-76-2) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). TR 484, 2000.
Raymond, L.W., Williford, L.S. and Burke, W.A.: Eruptive cherry angiomas and irritant symptoms after one acute exposure to the glycol ether solvent 2-butoxyethanol. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 40(12): 1059-1064, 1998.
Tyl RW, Millicovsky G, Dodd DE, et al. 1984. Teratologic evaluation of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether in Fischer 344 rats and New Zealand white rabbits following inhalation exposure. Environ Health Perspect 57:47-68.

Last Updated Date : 04/05/2024

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
2) Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82]	240 min	12 L	0.05 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling
2-Butoxyethanol	0435	No
n-Butyl alcohol	0460	No
sec-Butyl alcohol	0461	No
Ethyl alcohol	1060	No
Isobutyl alcohol	1536	No
Isopropyl alcohol	1560	No
Methyl alcohol*	1660	No
n-Propyl alcohol	2170	No

Notes

Immediately after sampling, separate the two sampling tubes to prevent post-sampling migration.

Request any (up to two (2)) of these analytes together.

Results for unrequested analytes in this group will be reported if significant amounts are found.

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

*If this is your primary analyte of interest, sample for 60 min at 0.05 L/min (3L). If the relative humidity is >50% at 25°C, you can sample for 100 min at 0.05 L/min (5L).

2-BUTOXYETHANOL†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References