The chemical has a lot of aliases and is known as butyl cellosolve, 2-butoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGMBE or EGBE) or as a member of the family known as ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers. It is used extensively as a solvent in surface coatings such as lacquers, enamels, varnishes, and latex paint; in paint thinners, paint stripping formulations, and inks; and in degreasers and industrial and household cleaners.

2-butoxyethanol was nominated for study because of its widespread use in industrial and consumer applications, the potential for exposure to workers and the general population, and the absence of chronic toxicity data, according to the report. In the study, it was found that, “There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of 2-butoxyethanol in female F344/N rats based on the increased combined incidences of benign or malignant pheochromocytoma (mainly benign) of the adrenal medulla. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of 2-butoxyethanol in male B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hemangiosarcoma of the liver. A marginal increase in the incidences of forestomach squamous cell papilloma and an increase in the incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma may have been exposure related. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of 2-butoxyethanol in female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of fore stomach squamous cell papilloma or carcinoma (mainly papilloma). Increased incidences of forestomach neoplasms in male and female mice occurred in groups in which ulceration and hyperplasia were also present.”

When a chemical causes cancer in both sexes of two species of animals or more it is generally thought of as being a potential carcinogen (its final classification based on a sophisticated review of many additional studies and evidence). So—this chemical is very close.

But there’s more scary news. In a December 1998 article in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,  doctors treated seven clerical workers after exposure to vaporized 2-butoxyethanol, which had been applied overnight to strip the floor of their file room. At the time of exposure, they had noted intense eye and respiratory irritation, marked dyspnea, nausea, and faintness. All seven workers later experienced recurrent eye and respiratory irritation, dry cough, and headache. Four months after the exposure, cherry angiomas began to appear on the arms, trunk, and thighs of six workers, who voiced concerns about the possibility of cancer. New cherry angiomas have continued to appear 5 years after the acute exposure, as the initial ones persisted. “These angiomas occur in healthy persons as they age but in this instance appear to have resulted from a single overexposure to 2-butoxyethanol.”

Ironically, the researchers concluded, “We felt confident in reassuring the workers that they would suffer no serious consequences from this exposure.”

Yeah, sure! No serious consequences?

The scary thing is millions of homemakers, janitors and other folks are using this chemical today, not fully realizing their harmful effects. The brand of window cleaner most closely associated with its use in their products is Windex. But many other products, including some Fantastik, Formula 409, Lysol and Simple Green formulas also contain this chemical. Unfortunately, finding out which products contain this chemical requires sleuthing and looking at company data since there are such lax labeling regulatory laws, requiring little to no specific ingredient disclosures.

Does that mean these products are dangerous and should never be used? Well, nobody knows for certain how much damage these products can do, but one can speculate that one would not want to be using ALL or several of these products (especially at the same time) without protection while working in the home and cleaning on a daily basis. But, unfortunately this scenario is probably the one we see most often. Homemakers do a lot of cleaning. They use a lot of these products. They rarely use protection, and worse, they might be pregnant. This affects everyone, but one can imagine the hundreds of thousands of people in cleaning jobs who are being exposed. It is hazardous to their health, their babies and society! Besides, these products transmit what are called volatile organic chemicals that become airborne and can be inhaled 24/7 in the home. In one media report, Lysol came out as the worst of all products tested. Rates of environmental cancers continue to rise. Some studies link occupational exposures to cancer, including homemakers. Do we really need to be adding another potential carcinogen to the pool of toxic chemicals to which we are being exposed?

THE BETTER CHOICE

You don’t have to buy products with this chemical to get perfectly clean and clear streak-free windows. We’ve put a lot of different cleaners to the test and while Windex no doubt does a great job on your windows, other cleaners we have tested do just as well without having to use what appears to be a highly toxic chemical where even low chronic doses might present an unnecessary risk.

With all of this in mind, our clear choice for all-around performance and value has become relatively easy: Earth Friendly Products has tested free of not only this chemical, but all petrochemicals including dioxane and formaldehyde. Their products are available everywhere. They work just as well (we know as we’ve tested them). They’re comparably priced. AND, they end up protecting you and your family.

Resources

Earth Friendly Products, including their window cleaner and all-surface cleaner, as well as their Wave automatic dishwashing gel and ECOS laundry detergent, are the smart, green choice. They don’t contain phosphates, dioxane, or any other chemical toxins. Visit them at www.efpclean.com

Read more in Green Living at Green Patriot

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.