At a glance
| Chemical family | Glycol ether — ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) |
| CAS number | 111-76-2 |
| Classification | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity, Monographs Vol. 88, 2006). Can cause hemolysis (red blood cell destruction) at high doses. Absorbed through skin. California Proposition 65 delisted (2007) |
| Where you encounter it | Household cleaners (glass cleaners, all-purpose sprays, degreasers); paints and coatings; printing inks; some cosmetics; industrial solvents |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Present in bedroom air as a residual VOC from cleaning products used on windows, surfaces, and floors. Also from fresh paint. Elevated after cleaning activities |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | REACH registered. CLP Acute Tox. 4 (H302, H312, H332), Eye Irrit. 2. No specific consumer product concentration limit. Regulatory |
| United States | EPA Clean Air Act hazardous air pollutant (delisted from HAP list in 2004). California Proposition 65 delisted 2007. OSHA PEL: 50 ppm (TWA). Regulatory |
| Canada | Health Canada assessed under the Chemicals Management Plan. Reported to the National Pollutant Release Inventory. Regulatory |
| International | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable, Monographs Vol. 88, 2006). WHO indoor air quality guidelines do not set a specific limit. ATSDR minimal risk level exists for inhalation. Regulatory |
What it is
2-Butoxyethanol is a glycol ether — a class of solvents that combines the properties of an ether and an alcohol. It is an excellent solvent for both water-soluble and oil-soluble substances, which makes it the workhorse ingredient in household cleaning products. IARC evaluated 2-butoxyethanol in 2006 and classified it as Group 3 based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animals and inadequate evidence in humans. The primary toxicological concern at high doses is hemolysis — destruction of red blood cells — caused by its metabolite butoxyacetic acid. California initially listed 2-butoxyethanol under Proposition 65 but delisted it in 2007 after concluding the evidence did not support cancer classification. 2-Butoxyethanol is notable for being well-absorbed through the skin.
Where it shows up in bedding
2-Butoxyethanol is not a bedding ingredient. It enters the bedroom as a volatile residue from cleaning products used on bedroom surfaces — glass cleaner on windows, all-purpose spray on nightstands, floor cleaner on hardwood or tile. Indoor air concentrations of 2-butoxyethanol spike during and after cleaning activities and decline as the solvent evaporates and is diluted by ventilation. Fresh paint in a bedroom is another significant source. For the sleep environment, the main concern is transient elevated air concentrations in the hours after cleaning or painting. Ventilating the bedroom after these activities is the simplest control measure.
Citations
- IARC (2006). 2-Butoxyethanol. IARC Monographs Vol. 88. Source Peer-reviewed
- ATSDR (1998). Toxicological Profile for 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Butoxyethanol Acetate. Source Regulatory
- EPA. 2-Butoxyethanol — Hazard Summary. Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Should I ventilate after cleaning the bedroom?
Yes. Cleaning products containing 2-butoxyethanol (most glass cleaners and all-purpose sprays) release the solvent into room air during and after use. Indoor air concentrations spike during cleaning and take 30-60 minutes to decline with normal ventilation. Opening a window during and after cleaning is the simplest way to reduce exposure during the subsequent sleep period.
Is 2-butoxyethanol a carcinogen?
No. IARC classifies 2-butoxyethanol as Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity). California initially listed it under Proposition 65 but delisted it in 2007. The US EPA delisted it from the Clean Air Act hazardous air pollutant list in 2004. The primary health concern is hemolysis at high occupational exposures, not cancer.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08. If you find a factual error, contact us.