Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes the organic compound known as 2-butoxyethanol as a colorless liquid with a mild odor. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports it smells like ether and goes by numerous names.
2-Butoxyethanol is used in many industries, including as a solvent and is found in paint strippers, thinners and some household cleaners. Examples of some workers at risk of being exposed to 2-butoxyethanol include the following according to NIOSH:
• Workers in silk-screening and printing occupations
• Workers who make or refinish furniture
• Workers who use spray paints
• Employees exposed to certain household cleaners
• Mechanics and others exposed to hydraulic fluids
• Factory workers who manufacture certain cosmetics
Workers may be harmed from exposure to 2-butoxyethanol with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. NIOSH reports it can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and blood. The main routes of occupational exposure include breathing contaminated air and skin contact. ATSDR warns that breathing in large amounts of 2-butoxyethanol may result in irritation of the nose and eyes, headache and vomiting.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for 2-butoxyethanol. Cal/OSHA also has its own PEL.
These are just a few of the many things to know about 2-butoxyethanol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes the organic compound known as 2-butoxyethanol as a colorless liquid with a mild odor. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports it smells like ether and goes by numerous names.
2-Butoxyethanol is used in many industries, including as a solvent and is found in paint strippers, thinners and some household cleaners. Examples of some workers at risk of being exposed to 2-butoxyethanol include the following according to NIOSH:
• Workers in silk-screening and printing occupations
• Workers who make or refinish furniture
• Workers who use spray paints
• Employees exposed to certain household cleaners
• Mechanics and others exposed to hydraulic fluids
• Factory workers who manufacture certain cosmetics
Workers may be harmed from exposure to 2-butoxyethanol with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. NIOSH reports it can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and blood. The main routes of occupational exposure include breathing contaminated air and skin contact. ATSDR warns that breathing in large amounts of 2-butoxyethanol may result in irritation of the nose and eyes, headache and vomiting.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for 2-butoxyethanol. Cal/OSHA also has its own PEL.
These are just a few of the many things to know about 2-butoxyethanol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
