2-Butoxyethanol is a solvent in paints and surface coatings, as well as cleaning products and inks. Other products that contain 2-butoxyethanol include acrylic resin formulations, asphalt release agents, firefighting foam, leather protectors, oil spill dispersants, degreaser applications, and photographic strip solutions. Other products containing 2-butoxyethanol as a primary ingredient include some whiteboard cleaners, liquid soaps, cosmetics, dry cleaning solutions, lacquers, varnishes, herbicides, and latex paints.
2-Butoxyethanol is frequently found in popular cleaning products. It provides cleaning power and the characteristic odor of Windex and other glass cleaners. It is the main ingredient of many home, commercial and industrial cleaning solutions.
Found in: Window, kitchen and multipurpose cleaners.
Health Risks: 2-butoxyethanol is the key ingredient in many window cleaners and gives them their characteristic sweet smell. It belongs in the category of “glycol ethers,†a set of powerful solvents that don’t mess around.
Law does not require 2-butoxyethanol to be listed on a product’s label. According to the EPA’s Web site, in addition to causing sore throats when inhaled, at high levels glycol ethers can also contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage. If you’re cleaning at home in a confined area, like an unventilated bathroom, you can actually end up getting 2-butoxyethanol in the air at levels that are higher than workplace safety standards.
Better Choice: Clean mirrors and windows with newspaper and diluted vinegar. For other kitchen tasks, stick to simple cleaning compounds . You can also make your own formulas with baking soda, vinegar and essential oils. http://goarticles.com/article/An-Overvi ... t/4427325/http://www.solventis.net/glycolethers/butyl-glycolhttp://www.beyondpesticides.org/infoser ... o.%201.pdfhttp://valdezlink.com/pages/only_chemical.htmhttp://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Che ... Id=PC35051Some Products with 2-Butoxyethanol
• Westleys Espree Wheel Restorer-Old Product [Auto Products]
• STP Son of a Gun! Citrus Cleaner-Discontinued Product [Auto Products]
• STP Son of A Gun! Car Cleaner-Discontinued Product [Auto Products]
• Simoniz Tuff Stuff Trigger Pump [Auto Products]
• Sprayway Utility Cleaner Heavy Foam No. 862 [Inside the Home]
• Radio Shack Anti Static Foaming Cleaner [Inside the Home]
• Sprayway Auto Glass Foaming Windshield Cleaner No. 41 [Auto Products]
• Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover, Aerosol [Inside the Home]
• Sprayway Foaming Rug and Upholstery Cleaner No. 869 [Auto Products]
• Radio Shack Urethane Adhesive (Parts A and B) [Home maintenance]
• Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover, Trigger [Inside the Home]
• Sprayway Hoil Penetrating Oil and Rust Preventative No.961 [Auto Products]
• Permatex Battery Cleaner [Auto Products]
• Spot Shot Large Area Multi-Purpose Cleaner [Inside the Home]