Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

N-BUTYL GLYCIDYL ETHER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reactive diluent, modifier for epoxy resins. Was used in solvent free epoxy systems to
give low viscosity mixes, but the severe skin irritation and sensitisation effects mean
that it has been replaced by safer alternates. May still appear in mixes for use in closed
systems, i.e. where mixed and applied by machine. Intermediate

SYNONYMS

C6-H14-O2, C4H9OH2CHOCH2, "Ageflex BGE BGE-H BGE-T", "Shell Heloxy Modifier 61", "butyl
glycidyl ether", glycidylbutylether, "glycidyl butyl ether", "1-butoxy-2, 3-epoxypropane",
"1-butoxy-2, 3-epoxypropane", "propane, 1-butoxy-2, 3-epoxy-", "propane, 1-butoxy-2, 3-
epoxy-", "2, 3-epoxypropyl butyl ether", "2, 3-epoxypropyl butyl ether", "ether, butyl 2,
3-epoxypropyl", "ether, butyl 2, 3-epoxypropyl", "ether, butyl glycidyl", "epoxy
reactive diluent"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May form explosive peroxides.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Possible risk of irreversible effects.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system.
Flammable.
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Swallowing of the liquid may cause aspiration into the lungs with the risk of chemical pneumonitis; serious consequences may result. (ICSC13733).  Strong evidence exists that the substance may cause irreversible but non-lethal mutagenic effects following a single exposure.  

EYE

  There is some evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Severe inflammation may be expected with redness. There may be damage to the cornea. Unless treatment is prompt and adequate there may be permanent loss of vision. Conjunctivitis can occur following repeated exposure.  The vapor may produce pronounced discomfort of the eyes when present at higher concentrations and this generally gives warning of excessive exposure and the need for control measures to ensure safe working conditions.  The liquid produces a high level of eye discomfort and is capable of causing pain and severe conjunctivitis. Corneal injury may develop, with possible permanent impairment of vision, if not promptly and adequately treated.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material may cause moderate inflammation of the skin either following direct contact or after a delay of some time. Repeated exposure can cause contact dermatitis which is characterized by redness, swelling and blistering.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  Absorption by skin may readily exceed vapor inhalation exposure. Symptoms for skin absorption are the same as for inhalation.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be harmful.  The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Inhalation of vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This may be accompanied by narcosis, reduced alertness, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination and vertigo.  Inhalation of high concentrations of gas/vapor causes lung irritation with coughing and nausea, central nervous depression with headache and dizziness, slowing of reflexes, fatigue and inco-ordination.  Short-term exposure to BGE causes irritation to the nose and throat resulting in coughing and wheezing. Other symptoms include headache, lightheadedness, dizziness, incoordination,  and fainting; high levels can lead to death. Long-term exposure to BGE can result in skin sensitization, narcosis, hematopoietic effects, and central nervous system (CNS) depression.  In two workers, exposure to BGE (contained in a grouting compound) via inhalation resulted in coughing, vomiting, ataxia, and headache within two hours. Irritation of the gastrointestinal tract was related to length of exposure. One man was exposed for 90 minutes, the other was exposed for four hours. Within 24 hours, both men were admitted to a hospital. Case I (21 years old) underwent an appendectomy after 17 days of central abdominal pain and was recovering three months later. Case II (42 years old) collapsed with haematemesis (blood in the vomitus) and melena (black, "tarry" faeces that are associated with gastrointestinal haemorrhage) four weeks later and continued to suffer from spasmodic headaches, lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting, with evidence of blood three months later.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic problems.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Exposure to the material may result in a possible risk of irreversible effects. The material may produce mutagenic effects in man. This concern is raised, generally, on the basis ofappropriate studies using mammalian somatic cells in vivo. Such findings are often supported by positive results from in vitro mutagenicity studies.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Repeated administration of n-butyl glycidyl ether (BGE) to rats as three daily intramuscular injections of 400 mg/kg/day produced increased leukocyte counts in the blood. BGE produced skin sensitisation upon repeated applications in guinea pigs. Repeated inhalation of 300 ppm for 7 hours/day produced slight atrophy of the testes in rats.  Glycidyl ethers can cause genetic damage and cancer.