United Slates EPA 749 f SM O1H
Environmental Protection Deoembei iyi*4
OBce o» Pollulion Pievenlon and To»c* (/401)
oER^Chemicals in the
Environment
2-METHOXYETHANOL
(CAS NO 109-86-4)
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Chemicals can be released lo the envi-
ronment as a result of llicir manufacture.
processing, and use Flic EPA has dc-
\eloped information summaries on se-
lected chemicals to describe how you
might be exposed to these chemicals, how
exposure to them might affect you and the
environment, what happens to them in the
environment, who regulates them, and
whom to contact for additional informa-
tion EPA is committed lo reducing envi-
ronmental releases of chemicals through
source reduction and other practices that
reduce crcaUon of pollutants
WHAT IS 2-METIIOXYETHANOL,
HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW
MIGHT I BE EXPOSED?
2-McthoxyctJianol (also called
cthylcnc glycol monomcthyl ether or
EGME) is a colorless, flammable liquid It
docs not occur naturally but is produced in
large amounts (estimated not lo exceed
100 million pounds per year) by three
companies in ihc United States I IS de-
mand for EGME has declined during Ihc
late I'WOs and is likely lo continue lo fall
The largcsl users of EGME arc companies
that add it to jet fuel as a de-icer Currently
this use of EGME is declining in the US
Companies use EGME lo dissolve
chemicals such as cellulose acetate, vari-
ous resins used in the electronics industry,
and certain dyes. Other companies use
EGME to make perfume and photographic
film It can also be added lo quick-drying
varnishes, enamels, nail polishes, and
wood stains
Exposure lo EGME can occur in
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the workplace or in (he environment following
releases to air, walcr, land, or groundwalcr
The number of consumer products that conlain
2-mcthoxycthanol is declining ll is unlikely
thai this will be a major source of exposure lo
EGME in ihc fulure EGME enters the bod\
when brcatJied in with contaminated air or
when consumed with conlammalcd food or
water It is also absorbed through skin contact
2-Mcthoxyethanol does not remain in the body
due lo its breakdown and removal in urine or
in expired air
WHAT HAPPENS TO
2-METHOXYETHANOL IN THE
ENVIRONMENT?
2-Methoxycthanol evaporates when
exposed to air ll dissolves completely mixed
with water Mosl direct releases of EGME to
the environment arc to air EGME also
evaporates from water and soil exposed to air
Once in air, 2-mcthoxycthanol breaks down lo
other chemicals Because il is a liquid lhal
does not bind well lo soil, EGME lhal makes
its way inlo the ground can move through the
ground and enter groundwalcr Plants arid
animals arc nol likely to store
2-rncthoxvcthanol
HOW DOES 2 METHOXYETHANOL
AFFECT HUMAN HFALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT?
Effects of 2-mclhoxycthanol on hu-
man health and the environment depend on
how much EGME is present and Ihc lenglh
and frequency of exposure Effects also de-
pend on the health of a person or the condition
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of the environment when exposure
occurs.
Brcalhing EGME for short
periods of Ume adversely affects the
human nervous system Effects range
from di//mess to unconsciousness
EGME also adversely aflects the
blood, the liver, the kidneys, and the
lesles Laboratory studies show that
EGME causes similar effects in ani-
mals Direct contact with liquid
2-methoxvcthanol irritates the skin
Contact with EGME liquid or vapor
can cause eye damage
Human health effects associ-
ated with breathing or otherwise con-
suming small amounts of EGME over
long periods of time are not known
Laboratory studies show mat repeat
exposure to small amounts of EGME
adversely afTccts the reproductive
system of animals, especially males
Exposure to small amounts of EGME
also causes animals to give birth to
malformed offspring Repeal exposme
to larger amounts of the
2-mcthoxyclhanol causes adverse
nervous system and blood effects in
animals
2-Mclhoxyclhanol by itself is
not likely to cause environmental harm
at levels normally found in the envi-
ronment EGME can contribute to the
formation of photochemical smog
when it reacts with other volatile or-
ganic carbon substances in air
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WHAT EPA FROGRAM omcis RKSULATE 2-MrrHoxvrrHANOL, AND UNDO WHAT LAWS a n UCULATED?
EPA OFFICE
Pollution Prevention & Toxics
Air
LAW
Tone Substances Control Act
Emergency Pluming and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulations (§313)
Toxics Release Inventory dala
Clean Air Act
A technical support document is available from the TSC A Assistance Information Service, (202) 554-1404
WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CO!»TACT K>R iNroRMATioN ON 2-MrrHoxYrniotoL?
AGENCY/GROUP
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hypemsts
Consumer Product Safety Commission
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (EnviroHeaJth Clearinghouse)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PHONE NUMBER
(202)554-1404
(800) 535-0202
(202)260-1531
(919)541-0888
PHONE NUMBER
(513)742-2020
(301)504-0994
(800)643^794
(800)356-4674
(Check your local phone book under U.S. Department of Labor)
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