At a glance
| Chemical family | Glycol ether — industrial solvent / reproductive toxicant |
| CAS number | 109-86-4 |
| Classification | EU Repr. 1B (reproductive toxicant); EU SVHC; REACH restricted; Canada SOR/2025-270 prohibited |
| Where you encounter it | Solvent in paints, lacquers, stains, and industrial coatings; textile dye carrier; adhesive component; cleaning agent in electronics manufacturing |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | May be present as a residual solvent in furniture finishes (bed frames, nightstands), adhesives in mattress assembly, or textile-processing residues — off-gasses from recently manufactured products |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | SVHC (Candidate List — reproductive toxicant). CLP: Repr. 1B (H360FD), Acute Tox. 4 (H302, H312, H332). REACH Annex XVII Entry 32 restricts supply in consumer mixtures at concentrations ≥0.5%. Regulatory — European Union authority |
| United States | OSHA PEL: 25 ppm TWA. ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm (much lower than OSHA, reflecting reproductive concern). No consumer product ban. California Proposition 65 listed (developmental and reproductive toxicity). Regulatory — United States authority |
| Canada | Prohibited under the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 (SOR/2025-270), in force 30 June 2026 — manufacture, use, sale and import are banned, with time-limited exemptions for specific industrial uses. Regulatory — Canada authority |
| Certifications | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 restricts glycol ethers in textiles. GREENGUARD Gold evaluates total VOC emissions which would include glycol ether off-gassing. Industry |
What it is
2-Methoxyethanol is the simplest member of the 'E-series' (ethylene-glycol-based) glycol ethers. It is an excellent solvent — miscible with water and most organics — which made it a workhorse in industrial coatings, inks, and cleaning. The problem is its metabolism: the body converts it to methoxyacetic acid, which is a potent reproductive toxicant affecting male fertility (testicular atrophy, reduced sperm production) and embryonic development. This metabolic toxicity, not the parent compound's irritancy, is what drove regulatory action.
Where it shows up in bedding
2-Methoxyethanol is not a standard ingredient in bedding, but it can be present as a process residual. Furniture coatings (lacquers, stains, varnishes on wooden bed frames and nightstands) historically used glycol ethers as solvents. Textile processing — particularly dye carriers in certain dyeing operations — is another pathway. Adhesives in mattress assembly (bonding foam layers, attaching fabric to foam) may also contain glycol ether solvents. These sources release 2-methoxyethanol through off-gassing, particularly from newly manufactured furniture and newly assembled mattresses. The concentrations decline rapidly with ventilation and time.
Citations
- ECHA. Substance Information: 2-Methoxyethanol. Source Regulatory
- Government of Canada. SOR/2025-270. Source Regulatory
- OEHHA. Proposition 65 — 2-Methoxyethanol. Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Is 2-methoxyethanol in my mattress?
Unlikely as a direct ingredient, but possible as a solvent residual in adhesives or coatings used during manufacturing. Glycol ethers are good solvents for bonding foam layers and in furniture finishes. The risk is highest with brand-new products that haven't had time to off-gas. Ventilating new furniture and mattresses in a well-aired room for several days before sleeping on them reduces any residual glycol ether exposure.
What makes glycol ethers different from other solvents?
Their metabolic toxicity. Most solvents cause irritation or narcosis at high doses, but the E-series glycol ethers (those derived from ethylene glycol, including 2-methoxyethanol) are converted by the body into metabolites that damage reproductive organs and developing embryos at much lower doses. This is why regulators treat them differently from solvents with similar physical properties. The P-series glycol ethers (derived from propylene glycol) do not share this metabolic pathway and are considered much safer.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-07. If you find a factual error, contact us.