IRIS Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether (EGBE) (Interagency Science Discussion Draft)
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Abstract
EPA released the draft report, Toxicological Review for Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether , that was distributed to Federal agencies and White House Offices for comment during the Science Discussion step of the IRIS Assessment Development Process. Comments received from other Federal agencies and White House Offices are provided below with external peer review panel comments.
The draft Toxicological Review of EGBE provides scientific information on the effects pertaining to exposure to EGBE. EGBE was nominated for reassesement by OAQPS in response to a delisting petition filed by the ACC. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (also known as 2-butoxyethanol) is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It is widely used as a solvent in various applications such as in surface coatings, spray lacquer, quick-dry lacquers, enamels, varnishes, varnish removers, latex paint, and metal cleaners and in commercially available cleaning products. The chemical is released to the environment primarily through the use of commercial and household cleaning products. EGBE is a high production volume chemical with an estimated 390 million pounds produced in the United States in 1992 (NTP, 2000). Human exposure to ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) is predominantly occupational via inhalation and dermal contact. Individuals employed in the manufacture, processing, and handling of EGBE will have potentially higher exposures (ATSDR, 1998). The primary routes of EGBE exposure to the general population are inhalation of contaminated indoor air and dermal contact with household products containing EGBE. The assessment will present reference values for the noncancer effects of EGBE (RfD and RfC), where supported by available data, and a cancer assessment.
The draft Toxicological Review of EGBE provides scientific information on the effects pertaining to exposure to EGBE. EGBE was nominated for reassesement by OAQPS in response to a delisting petition filed by the ACC. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (also known as 2-butoxyethanol) is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It is widely used as a solvent in various applications such as in surface coatings, spray lacquer, quick-dry lacquers, enamels, varnishes, varnish removers, latex paint, and metal cleaners and in commercially available cleaning products. The chemical is released to the environment primarily through the use of commercial and household cleaning products. EGBE is a high production volume chemical with an estimated 390 million pounds produced in the United States in 1992 (NTP, 2000). Human exposure to ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) is predominantly occupational via inhalation and dermal contact. Individuals employed in the manufacture, processing, and handling of EGBE will have potentially higher exposures (ATSDR, 1998). The primary routes of EGBE exposure to the general population are inhalation of contaminated indoor air and dermal contact with household products containing EGBE. The assessment will present reference values for the noncancer effects of EGBE (RfD and RfC), where supported by available data, and a cancer assessment.
Impact/Purpose
EPA is conducting a peer review of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessment of EGBE that will appear on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.
Status
Now that the interagency review draft has been completed and finalized, this assessment has been loaded into the IRIS Web site and Database.
Citation
U.S. EPA. IRIS Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether (EGBE) (Interagency Science Discussion Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/635/R-08/006D, 2010.
History/Chronology
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Oct 1999 | EPA posted the first toxicological review for ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether (EGBE) in the IRIS database. |
| 2002 | EGBE is nominated for reassessment by EPA/OAQPS in response to a petition to delist this chemical filed by the ACC. |
| Apr 2008 | EPA released the external review draft (reassessment) of EGBE for public comment. |
| Sep 2008 | EPA announced the details for the external peer review meeting. [Federal Register Notice Sep 25, 2008] |
| Oct 2008 | EPA announced a public listening session. [Federal Register Notice Oct 1, 2008] |
| Oct 2009 | EPA released the comments from the first and second round of reviews in two consolidated reports. |
| Nov 2009 | EPA hosted an interagency science discussion on the review of the draft Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether. |
| Mar 2010 | EPA released the final report and the interagency review draft with comments. |
This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.
- Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether (Interagency Science Discussion Draft) (PDF) (201 pp, 3 MB, about PDF)
- Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether Summary (Interagency Science Discussion Draft) (PDF) (24 pp, 169 KB, about PDF)
- 1. OMB Jan 2010 EGBE comments (PDF) (3 pp, 33 KB, about PDF)