New Recommended Exposure Limit for Butyl Cellosolve

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has made available a criteria document for ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate (EGBEA).  In both humans and animals, exposure to EGBE and EGBEA can result in health effects on the blood and hematopoietic system, the central nervous system, the kidneys, and the liver.  As of now, there has not been any indication of reproductive or teratogenic toxicity.  NIOSH has now set a new Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 5 ppm (parts per million parts of air) time-weighted average (TWA) to reflect these hazards.  This new REL is significantly more protective than the threshold limit value (TLV) set by the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH).  ACGIH's TLV is 25 ppm for EGBE.  NIOSH also sets an action level for one-half the REL at which exposure monitoring and medical monitoring should be initiated. 

NIOSH also notes that since both EGBE and EGBEA are so readily absorbed through the skin, dermal contact is prohibited.  These chemicals have been found in some art products, including some silkscreen decals, inks, and also in photoetching resist products.  Synonyms for EGBE include 2-butoxyethanol and butyl cellosolve.  The synonyms for EGBEA include 2-butoxyethanol acetate and butyl cellosolve acetate.

NIOSH makes several recommendations including:

• prevention of dermal contact;
• sampling and analytical methods;
• medical monitoring;
• biological monitoring;
• engineering controls;
• good work practices; and
• the use of protective equipment and clothing when necessary.

   Copies of this criteria document can be obtained by writing: Publications Dissemination, DSDTT, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, or telephone: (513) 533-8287.

Art Hazard News, Volume 14, No. 5, 1991

This article was originally printed for Art Hazard News, © copyright Center for Safety in the Arts 1991. It appears on CAR courtesy of the Health in the Arts Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, who have curated a collection of these articles from their archive which are still relevant to artists today.