Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Ventilation. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

LC50 Leuciscus idus /(Ide)/ >2150 and <4640 mg/L; 96hr; static bioassay (purity of test compound 87.2%)

LC50 Pimephales promelas /(Fathead minnow)/ 2400 mg/L/96 hr; static bioassay (also 24 hr and 48 hr)

LC50 Poecilia reticulata /(Guppy)/ 197 mg/L/7 days; semi-static bioassay

LC50 Daphnia magna (Water flea) 2210 mg/L/48 hr; static bioassay

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of triethylene glycol monobutyl ether from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 9.5X10-14 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 2.5X10-3 mm Hg(4). The theoretical BODs for triethylene glycol monobutyl ether are 0, 5, and 24% for 5, 10 and 20 days, respectively(5), suggesting that triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is expected to biodegrade slowly in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 9.5X10-14 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 0.02(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). The theoretical BODs for triethylene glycol monobutyl ether are 0, 5 and 24% for 5, 10 and 20 days, respectively(8), triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is expected to biodegrade slowly in water(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, which has a vapor pressure of 2.5X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 7.5 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 5.2X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Alcohols and ethers do not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm and therefore triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(4).

The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following butyl polyoxyalkylene ethers safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating...Buteth-3...

Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications

Redness. Dry skin.

Redness. Pain.

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of triethylene glycol monobutyl ether can be estimated to be 10(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC).

Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in groups of 10 male albino Wistar rats administered single doses of Poly Solv TB (triethylene glycol monobutyl ether) by oral gavage atlevels of 3.2, 5.0, 7.73, and 12.18 g/kg body weight. Mortality was observed in 6 animals in the 5.0 g/kg dose group, 8 animals in the 7.73 g/kg dose group, and all animals in the highest dose group. The LD50 value was calculated to be 5.3 g/kg (4.1 to 6.8 g/kg 95% confidence limits) by the Litchfield and Wilcoxon method. Clinical observations included loss of righting reflex and flaccid muscle tone in the 5.0 g/kg dose group, flaccid muscle tone, heavy breathing and coma in the 7.73 g/kg dose group, and death within 3 hours in the highest dose group. Gross necropsy was not reported.

Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in groups of 6 male rats (strain not reported) administered single doses of undiluted Dowanol TBH (triethylene glycol monobutyl ether) at levels of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.98 g/kg body weight. Mortality was observed in 3 animals in the 3.98 g/kg dose group; an LD50 value was not reported. Clinical and gross necropsy findings were not reported.

Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in groups of 5 male Dow-Wistar albino rats administered single doses of undiluted butoxy triglycol by oral gavage at levels of 4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 ml/kg of body weight. Mortality was observed in 1 animal in the 4.0 ml/kg dose group, 3 animals in the 8.0 ml/kg dose group and in all animals in the highest dose group. The LD50 value was calculated by the moving average method to be 6.73 ml/kg (4.13 to 10.96 ml/kg). Clinical observations were not reported. Gross necropsy evaluation revealed congestion of abdominal viscera and lungs.

Acute dermal toxicity was evaluated in 10 New Zealand white rabbits (sex not reported) receiving single occluded applications of Poly Solv TB (triethylene glycol monobutyl ether) at a dose level of 2.0 g/kg body weight. The test article was held in contact with abraded skin for a 24 hour period. Mortality was not observed in any animal; an LD50 value was not reported. The observation period was uneventful and gross necropsy was not reported.

For more TSCA Test Submissions (Complete) data for TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether's production and use as a plasticizer intermediate(1), a solvent for cellulose nitrate, cellulose ethers, chlorinated rubber, poly(vinyl acetate), colophony, many other natural and synthetic resins, stoving chemicals, wood paints, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations, as well as drying greases and oils(3), as a solubilizer for mutually incompatible liquids(3), in the production of household and metal cleansing agents as well as for wood preservation(3), in cutting and hydraulic oils, production of inks(3), as a leveling agent(3), in the leather auxiliaries industry(3), and in the chemical, textile, and transportation industries(2) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is included on this list.

A testing consent order is in effect for triethylene glycol monobutyl ether for health effects testing. FR citation: January 9, 1989.