Determination of 2-butoxyethanol emissions from selected consumer products and its application in assessment of inhalation exposure associated with cleaning tasks

Consumer products are important sources of human exposure to certain chemicals. Recent regulatory requirements for assessing human exposure to three glycol ethers, namely 2-methoxyethanol (ME), 2-ethoxyethanol (EE) and 2-butoxyethanol (BE), have prompted the investigation of these chemicals in consumer products and their emission characteristics. Thirteen products were selected for investigation based on their potential of containing the chemicals. Headspace results indicated that ME and EE were not present in any of the 13 selected products, while BE was detected in the headspace samples of seven products, of which five were household cleaning agents. Other related compounds such as 2-hexyloxyethanol (HE) and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol (BEE) were also detected in the headspace samples of some products. BE emissions from five cleaning related products were measured using a field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) with its subunit to provide emission data for inhalation exposure assessment purposes. These products had initial emission factors ranging from 145 to 938 mg m(-2) h(-1) under the experimental conditions. It was found that the emission factor of BE was inversely proportional to the dilution factor of the products. A good relationship was established between the emission factor of BE and its concentrations in water-based products. Based on product use scenarios developed by US EPA and an assumed "standard room," average daily inhalation exposure levels of a resident as a result of performing cleaning tasks were estimated to be 0.075 and 0.186 mg (kg b.w.)(-1) day(-1) for two all-purpose spray cleaners, and 0.004 and 0.006 mg (kg b.w.)(-1) day(-1) for two-spray glass cleaners, respectively.