To EPA,
 

I read that EPA is considering lifting the air quality controls for 2-butoxyethanol.

  http://www.egep.org/epge-update-delisting.htm That would be a sad day indeed.  

The eyes and the skin are the primary route of entry for this chemical and 

if you were not to have severe limitations on this chemical, 

you will be harming our children and our elderly and our future generations, too.

 
How can the chemical companies say such a chemical doesn't bioaccumulate?
Maybe it is just that the rats don't live long enough to show that.
 
There are plenty of people harmed by 2-butoxyethanol.  The paint companies are getting smart and putting appropriate hazard warnings on their paint cans. http://www.valdezlink.com/media-misc/FullerOBrien2003warnings.jpg In June, 2003 on the black 5 gallon paint can, I found no such warnings. 
 
 
Check out this current research 
Product Number: 579556  
Product Name: 2-Butoxyethanol

sigmaaldrich.com England    Valid 5/2003 - 7/2003

AND your own detailed info on the blood -

 http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/Overviews/HematologyDoc.html

many blood components will show abnormal readings

One smart manufacturer states in their MSDS:  Animals receiving repeated oral doses of 2-butoxyethanol, a component of this product, developed hemolytic anemia and secondary injury to the kidney and liver.

Now, this is what to look for for hemolytic anemia: 

  • Chills  8
  • Fatigue
  • Pale color
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heart rate  *   *
  • Yellow skin color (jaundice)
  • Dark urine (indicative of blood in urine - never dismiss this! Stop exposure immediately!)
  • Enlarged spleen
    •  
    It is really sad that lots of other ailments (secondary to 2-butoxyethanol poisoning) are getting noticed, such as leukemia, tumor of the brain, diabetes, high blood pressure, endocrine disruption in general ... these are being studied, but 2-butoxyethanol is getting away with murder.  The problem with this chemical is pandemic and doctors don't study it; and don't recognize it when they see it.  It causes all the symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome. I believe it is the cause of Gulf War syndrome; and since the military today uses the same stuff as before, we will see 'Gulf War Syndrome' again.
     
    Please put a hold on this decision to lift the air ban controls for 2-butoxyethanol (and 2-2-butoxyethanol).  AND while we're waiting for someone to study the people so harmed, ask that these appropriate hazard warnings be put on all products (and goggles given with any household cleaners):  say that they will have damaged:  blood, liver, kidneys, skin, eyes, central nervous system including depression and short term memory loss, and suicidal tendencies; endocrine system (high blood pressure/high blood sugar/reproductive damage) and tell them, too, it doesn't take much exposure to cause this! The more exposure the sooner you die; and the more horrible the death.  Cancers very probable.  Your children at risk for birth defects and leukemia and tumor of the brain.  Multiple existing health studies 'skewed' because the primary cause is not mentioned or known: 

           2-butoxyethanol poisoning

     

    Sincerely,

    Margaret Hursh
    PO Box 233

    Valdez, AK 99686

    907-835-5333

    1-5-04