2-butoxyethanol

Epidemiological data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

epidemiological data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Recent, well documented study published in open literature

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Higher prevalence of breathlessness in elderly exposed to indoor aldehydes and VOCs in a representative sample of French dwellings

Author:

Bentayeb M, Billionnet C, Baiz N, Derbez M, Kirchner S, Annesi-Maesano I

Year:

2013

Bibliographic source:

Respiratory Medicine 107, 1598-1607

Materials and methods

Study type:

cohort study (retrospective)

Endpoint addressed:

other: breathlessness

Principles of method if other than guideline:

To determine the respiratory effects of indoor exposures to aldehydes and VOCs, including butoxyethanol, as objectively measured using passive samplers, in elderly living in a population-based representative sample of French dwellings

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

2-butoxyethanol

EC Number:

203-905-0

EC Name:

2-butoxyethanol

Cas Number:

111-76-2

Molecular formula:

C6H14O2

IUPAC Name:

2-butoxyethanol

Method

Type of population:

general

Ethical approval:

not applicable

Details on study design:

HYPOTHESIS TESTED (if cohort or case control study): That breathlessness is associated with elevated levels of volatile organic compounds in indoor air.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
- Type: Interview
- Details: status of respiratory health and respiratory symptoms over previous year recorded.

STUDY PERIOD: 2003-2005.

SETTING: dwellings

STUDY POPULATION (Cohort 1)
- Total population (Total no. of persons in cohort from which the subjects were drawn): 1062
- Selection criteria: random
- Total number of subjects participating in study:868
- Sex/age/race: mixed, 39±14 years,no data
- Smoker/nonsmoker: mixed, data recorded.

STUDY POPULATION (Cohort 2)
- Total population (Total no. of persons in cohort from which the subjects were drawn): 1062
- Selection criteria: random
- Total number of subjects participating in study:144
- Sex/age/race: mixed, 71±4.8 years,no data
- Smoker/nonsmoker: mixed, data recorded.

HEALTH EFFECTS STUDIED
- Disease(s): Breathlessness

Exposure assessment:

measured

Details on exposure:

TYPE OF EXPOSURE: Indoor air.

TYPE OF EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT: Area air sampling. VOCs were collected onto Carbograph four adsorbents (Radiello, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri (FSM)). Adsorbed VOCs were extracted through thermodesorption and analyzed by GC/FID-MS. 567 dwellings were assessed.

Statistical methods:

Classical statistical methods were used to estimate means, frequencies (percentages), correlation and chi2. Week averages of the VOCs concentrations were provided in mg/m3. The correlations between the VOCs concentrations were estimated using Spearman correlation coefficient. The
prevalence of respiratory health conditions was expressed as a frequency (percentage) of positive responses to the corresponding questions with 95% of CI.

Results and discussion

Results:

Indoor levels of 2-butoxyethanol were detectable but very low. For the under 65yrs old population cohort, the average measured value was 1.5ug/m3 (95% CI=0-6.5ug/m3, max value detected 40ug/m3. For the over 65yrs old population cohort, the average measured value was 0.6ug/m3 (95% CI=0-4.5ug/m3, max value detected 48ug/m3. No correlation was found between the reported incidence of breathlessness in the population and measured levels of 2-butoxyethanol

Confounding factors:

Age, sex, smoking status,educational level, season and moulds in dwelling.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

In a study to measure the levels of indoor air concentrations of a number of volatile organic compounds,and the reported incidence of breathlessness symptoms in the elderly, no correlation was found for 2 -butoxyethanol.