European Union Risk Assessment Report : Volume 2: 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol : CAS-No. : 112-34-5 EINECS-No. : 203-961-6 : final report, July 1999, The Netherlands

The report provides the comprehensive risk assessment of the substance 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol. It has been prepared by the Netherlands in the frame of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 793/93 on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances, following the principles for the assessment of risks to man and the environment, laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1488/94. The evaluation considers the emissions and the resulting exposure to the environment and the human population in all life cycle steps. Following the exposure assessment, the environmental risk characterisation for each protection target in the aquatic, terrestrial and soil compartment has been determined. For human health the scenarios for occupational exposure, consumer exposure and humans exposed indirectly via the environment have been examined and the possible risks have been identified. The risk assessment for 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol concludes with no concern for the environment, but health risks for the consumer are expected to occur due to the use of the substance in paint spraying applications. Health risks for workers are expected by eye exposure due to incidental splashing when the pure substance is handled, local effects on skin, which can not be excluded after repeated dermal exposure, and with regard to anticipated effects after inhalation during manual application of products containing the substance. The conclusions of this report will lead to risk reduction measures to be decided by the risk management committee of the Commission.