It must be the family of glycol ethers that is health hazardous. Especially any glycol ethers with butyl.  The one I know best, 2-butoxyethanol, causes acute hemolytic anemia in rats.  

(I suspect this is THE FATIGUE of CFIDS, CFS, FM)

2-Butoxyethanol causes acute hemolytic anemia in rats

In F344 male rats, 2-butoxyethanol causes severe acute hemolytic anemia resulting in significant increase in the concentration of free plasma hemoglobin. Secondary to the hemolytic effects, 2-butoxyethanol also caused hemoglobinuria as well as histopathologic changes in the liver and kidney.

*Notes to Physician: Administration of Sodium bicarbonate may be of value to treat acidosis. 

Monitor kidney and liver function and arterial blood gases closely.

I suspect this is the cause of death for many of those who come down with

serious FLU symptoms (Suspect butyl glycol ethers for FLU)

The reason I started looking up similar chemicals was because of the burning eyes and flush coloring in the face that my husband had when he used Mop & Glo floor cleaner/polish 4-28-09. 

He asked me to look up what was in it?   So I did

What are glycol ethers?  *

GENERAL DESCRIPTION & APPLICATIONS Glycol: any of a class of organic chemicals characterized by having separate two hydroxyl (-OH) groups, contribute to high water solubility, hygroscopicity and reactivity with many organic compounds, on usually linear and aliphatic carbon chain. The general formula is CnH2n(OH)2 or (CH2)n(OH)2. The wider meaning names include diols, dihydric alcohols, and dihydroxy alcohols. Polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols are sometimes called polyglycols which are derived by polymerization of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide respectively. Polyethylene glycols are water-soluble at all molecular weights, but polypropylene glycols become increasingly less water-soluble at high molecular weights. Ethylene glycol, HOCH2CH2OH, is the simplest member of the glycol family. Mono-, di- and triethylene glycols are the first three members of a homologous series of dihydroxy alcohols. They are colourless, essentially odourless stable liquids with low viscosities and high boiling points. Ethylene glycol is a colourless, odourless, involatile and hygroscopic liquid with a sweet taste.  It is somewhat viscous liquid; miscible with water; boiling point 198 C, melting point 13 C; soluble in ethanol, acetone, acetic acid, glycerine, pyridine, aldehydes; slightly soluble in ether; insoluble in oil, fat, hydrocarbones. It is prepared commercially by oxidation of ethylene at high temperature in the presence of silver oxide catalyst, followed by hydration of ethylene oxide to yield mono-, with di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycols as co-products.  The yields of ethylene glycol are depend on pH conditions. The acid-catalyzed condition in the presence of excess water provides the highest yield of monoethylene glycol. Because of its low freezing point, involatility and low corrosive activity, it is widely used in mixtures of automobile antifreeze and engine-cooling liquids. Ethylene glycol has become increasingly important in the plastics industry for the manufacture of polyester fibers and resins, including polyethylene terephthalate, which is used to make plastic bottles for soft drinks (PET bottles). MEG is the raw material in the production of polyester fiber, PET resins, alkyd, and unsaturated polyester. Diethylene glycol, CH2OHCH2OCH2CH2OH, is similar in properties to MEG, but with a higher boiling point, viscosity, and specific gravity. Diethylene glycol is used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethanes and plasticizers. It is a water-soluble liquid;  boiling point 245 C; soluble in many organic solvents. It is used as a humectant in the tobacco industry and in the treatment of corks, glue, paper and cellophane. Diethylene glycol (DEG) is derived as a co-product with ethylene glycol and triethylene glycol. The industry generally operates to maximize MEG production. Ethylene glycol is by far the largest volume of the glycol products in a variety of applications. Availability of DEG will depend on demand for derivatives of the primary product, ethylene glycol, rather than on DEG market requirements. Triethylene glycol, HO(C2H4O)3H, is a colourless, odourless, non-volatile, and hygroscopic liquid. It is characterised by two hydroxyl groups along with two ether linkages, which contribute to its high water solubility, hygroscopicity, solvent properties and reactivity with many organic compounds. DEG is used in the synthesis of morpholine and 1,4-dioxane. TEG is displacing diethylene glycol in many of these applications on account of its lower toxicity. TEG finds use as a vinyl plasticizer, as an intermediate in the manufacture of polyester resins and polyols, and as a solvent in many miscellaneous applications. Triethylene glycol (TEG) is derived as a coproduct in the manufacture of ethylene glycol from ethylene oxide, and from "on-purpose" TEG production using diethylene glycol. Some capacities are based on total capacity for ethylene glycols. The main uses for TEG depend upon its hygroscopic properties. Air conditioning systems use TEG as dehumidifiers and, when volatilized, as an air disinfectant for bacteria and virus control. Glycols, having high boiling point and affinity for water, are employed as liquid desiccant for the dehydration of natural gas. The dehydration means the removal of water vapor in refinery tower so that dry hydrocarbon gases can exit from the top of the tower. There are wide range of glycol ethers which have bifunctional nature of ether and alcohol. cellosolves are monoether derivatives of ethylene glycol. They are excellent solvents, having solvent properties of both ethers and alcohols. Glycol family products are versatile compounds used in the fields include:

 
  • Anti-freezing and anti-icing additive
  • Intermediate in polymer production and chemical reaction
  • Solvent or plasticizer for plastic, lacquer, paint and varnish
  • Hydraulic, brake, thermal exchange fluids and fuel additive
  • Humidifying and plasticizing
  • Dehydrating
  • Coupling printing inks
  • Textile conditioning
  • Solvent for dyes in textile and leather finishing
  • Agricultural formulation
  • General purpose cleaners
  • Explosives manufacture
  • Electrolytic component
  • Humectant
  • Water-based coating
  • Preservative, rust remover, and disinfectant

 

Glycol ethers, with the combination of ether, alcohol and hydrocarbon chain in one molecule, provide versatile solvency characteristics with both polar and non-polar properties. The chemical structure of long hydrocarbon chain resist to solubility in water, while ether or alcohol groups introduce the promoted hydrophilic solubility performance. This surfactant-like structure provides the compatibility between water and a number of organic solvents, and the ability to couple unlike phases. Glycol ethers are characterized by their wide range of hydrophilic/hydrophobic balances. glycol ethers are used as diluents and leveling agents in the manufacture of paints and baking finishes. Glycol ether series are used in the manufacture of nitrocellulose and combination lacquers. They are used as an additive in brake fluid. They are formulated for dying textiles and leathers and for insecticides and herbicides. They provides performance in cleaners products with oil-water dispersions. They are used in printing industries as they have a slow evaporation rate. They are used as a fixative for perfumes, germicides, bactericides, insect repellents and antiseptic. They are used as an additive for jet fuel to prevent ice buildup. Thje term of cellosolve refers to ethylene glycol monoethyl ether or a group of glycol ether solvent as below.

CAS 111-90-0   Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.  See http://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/00543.htm #10

 NJ Hazardous Chemical Fact sheet on 2-butoxyethanol

Glycol ether Cellosolve CAS RN
Tris(ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) phosphate Tributyl cellosolve phosphate 78-51-3
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acrylate Cellosolve acrylate 106-74-1
Ethylene glycol isopropyl ether Isopropyl cellosolve 109-59-1
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether Methyl cellosolve 109-86-4
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate Methyl cellosolve acetate 110-49-6
Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether Dimethyl cellosolve 110-71-4
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether Cellosolve 110-80-5
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether oleate Methyl cellosolve oleate 111-10-4
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate Ethyl cellosolve acetate 111-15-9
Ethylene glycol monoallyl ether Allyl cellosolve 111-45-5
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether  * Butyl cellosolve 111-76-2
Where is?   111-77-3 ?
Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Carbitol cellosolve 111-90-0
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate Butyl cellosolve acetate 112-07-2
Ethylene glycol monohexyl ether Hexyl cellosolve 112-25-4
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether Butyl carbitol 112-34-5
Ethylene glycol dibutyl ether Dibutyl cellosolve 112-48-1
Bis(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether) phthalate Dimethyl cellosolve phthalate 117-82-8
Bis(ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) phthalate Dibutyl cellosolve phthalate 117-83-9
Ethylene glycol o,p-Dichlorophenyl ether 2,4-Dichlorophenyl cellosolve 120-67-2
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether Phenyl cellosolve 122-99-6
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetylricinoleate Methyl cellosolve acetylricinoleate 140-05-6
Bis(ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) adipate Dibutyl cellosolve adipate 141-18-4
Ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether Benzyl cellosolve 622-08-2
Ethylene glycol diethyl ether Diethyl cellosolve 629-14-1
Ethylene glycol monopropyl ether Propyl cellosolve 2807-30-9
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate Methyl cellosolve acrylate 3121-61-7
Ethylene glycol butyl ethyl ether Butyl ethyl cellosolve 4413-13-2
Ethylene glycol monoisobutyl ether Isobutyl cellosolve 4439-24-1
Ethyleneglycol 2-ethylbutyl ether Ethylbutyl cellosolve 4468-93-3
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acrylate Butyl cellosolve acrylate 7251-90-3
Ethylene glycol monoheptyl ether Heptyl cellosolve 7409-44-1
Ethylene glycol monomethylpentyl ether 2-Methylpentyl cellosolve 10137-96-9
Ethylene glycol o,p-Dichlorophenyl methyl ether 2,4-Dichlorophenyl methyl cellosolve 10140-84-8
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether phosphate Butyl cellosolve phosphate 14260-98-1
Poly(cellosolve silicate) Poly(cellosolve silicate) 37338-04-8
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether acrylate Phenyl cellosolve acrylate 48145-04-6
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether oleate Cellosolve oleate 68134-05-4
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether sebacate Butyl cellosolve sebacate 68186-66-3
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether phosphate potassium salt Butyl cellosolve, phosphate potassium salt 68389-63-9
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether polyphosphate Butyl cellosolve polyphosphate 68514-82-9
Ethylene glycol monohexyl ether phosphate Hexyl cellosolve phosphate 68814-14-2

Source http://chemicalland21.com/industrialchem/solalc/DIETHYLENE%20GLYCOL%20MONOETHYL%20ETHER.htm

Fair Use

Are we going to have more 2-butoxyethanol type Chemicals Released into the Air?  *

"They are formulated for dying textiles and leathers and for insecticides and herbicides."

I suspect these chemicals were with the AO that was sprayed in Vietnam

The worst pesticide our Soldiers have been (& are being) exposed to

Exposure 'looks like the flu'  <--- link 4-24-09

Protect Yourself From Future Harm - Learn what Products YOU use that contain it

Check for what products contain 2-butoxyethanol  such as
(CAS Registry Number: 000111-76-2)
in the Household Products Data Base
http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/ingredients.htm

5% concentration is not safe for home use, per one expert in product development.

Also check for the complex version Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether

or 2-2-butoxyethanol (CAS Registry Number: 000112-34-5)

Copyright © 2002 - 2009 Margaret Diann Hursh

except for previously copyrighted material quoted