Toxic substances list: 2-butoxyethanol

2-Butoxyethanol is not currently produced in Canada. It is imported for use mainly as a component of formulations, as part of consumer products or manufactured articles, and as a chemical processing aid. Based on the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), most reported environmental releases are to the atmosphere, with some minor releases to water.

Emissions of 2-BE from industry into the atmosphere are not in concentrations high enough to pose a health risk to Canadians. There is no evidence that emissions of 2-BE from industry are in concentrations high enough to pose risks to the environment; however, there is evidence of health effects when 2-BE is used in indoor settings. For more information, please see  Risk Management - Brief Overview - 2-Butoxyethanol.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 111-76-2

Risk assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Sources

This substance is entering the environment from the following sources:

• Industrial, Commercial and Consumer Products

Risk management strategy

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Risk Management Strategy for 2-Butoxyethanol

Risk management tools

Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations
• Environmental Performance Agreement - Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (no longer in effect)
• Reference method for the analysis of 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE) and other glycol ethers (GEs) in selected products (automotive and household cleaners, paints, paint strippers and solvents)

Consultation

Consultation (past) on the substance:

• Response to Comments on the Proposed 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations

Performance evaluation

Environment and Climate Change Canada has evaluated the performance of the 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations (the Regulations) to determine if they are effective in protecting human health from products containing 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE). A summary of the study commissioned in 2020 to help with this evaluation can be found below:

• Evaluating the Performance of the 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations: Summary Report and Key Results

Other information

• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre
• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation Web Site

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
Email: substances@ec.gc.ca


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