For more than 60 years, glycol ethers
have been used as key ingredients in the production of
cleaners, degreasers, water-based coatings, and solvent
based coating systems. The glycol ethers aid in soil penetration
and suspension for cleaners and in the case of coatings,
pigment suspension and leveling. The most popular of the
glycol ether series is ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
further referred to as EGBE. EGBE is made by reacting
ethylene oxide with monobutyl ether. This product is sold
commercially under a variety of names: Butyl Cellosolve
( Union Carbide ), Butyl Oxitol ( Shell Chemical ), Dowanol
EB ( Dow Chemical ), Ektasolve EB ( Eastman Chemical ),
Glycol Ether EB ( Oxy Petrochemicals ), 2-Butoxyethanol,
and Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether. Because EGBE's chemical
structure contains an ether and an alcohol, it can attack
both water soluble dirt and water insoluble oils and greases.
The ability to hold pigments and resins in fluid form
until applied to surfaces makes EGBE an important ingredient
in the coatings and resin industry. Although there are
alternatives to EGBE for individual applications, there
is no across-the-board replacement. Despite reassuring
results from toxicological tests involving EGBE, studies
of other similar sounding ethylene glycol ethers have
sparked scientific inquiry, media coverage, and regulatory
attention. As a result, some misperceptions developed
in the use of EGBE. Studies suggest that there is little
possibility of significant adverse health effects in humans
exposed to EGBE at levels encountered in workplaces that
comply with OSHA exposure limits. The MPC " Millennium
" group of degreasers contains a " P " series of glycol
ethers which are so safe that they don't appear on the
Government Regulatory Listing. This propylene type of
glycol ether is relatively new and is slowly finding its
way into cleaning formulations.
The
Janitech Companies
106 High Street
Cumberland, RI 02864
(Tel) 401-724-4300, (Fax) 401-724-4900
