Toxic substances list: 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME)

2-Methoxyethanol is not currently produced in Canada. It is imported for use mainly as a component of formulations, as part of manufactured articles, and as a chemical processing aid. The use of 2-methoxyethanol has declined over the past few years because it has been partially replaced by other substances. Based on National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), all reported environmental releases are to the atmosphere.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 109-86-4

For more information on this substance, please visit the Chemical Substances website.

Risk assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Sources

This substance is entering the environment from the following source(s):

• Industrial, Commercial and Consumer Products

Risk management strategy

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Proposed Risk Management Strategy for 2-Methoxyethanol

Risk management tools

Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012
• Regulations Amending the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2005 (2-Methoxyethanol, Pentachlorobenzene and Tetrachlorobenzenes)
• Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2005 [Repealed]

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:

• Response to Comments Resulting from the Public Consultation on the Proposed Regulations Amending the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2005 (2-Methoxyethanol, Pentachlorobenzene and Tetrachlorobenzenes)
• Proposed Regulations Amending the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2005 (2-Methoxyethanol, Pentachlorobenzene and Tetrachlorobenzenes)
• 2-Methoxyethanol (2-ME) Consultation Report of the Stakeholder Meeting held on November 18, 2004
• Stakeholder Consultation on the Risk Management for 2-Methoxethanol
• 2-Methoxyethanol (2-ME) Consultation Report of the Stakeholder Meeting held on January 28, 2004

Other information

• Executive Summary of the report "Economic Impacts of the Proposed 2-Methoxyethanol (2-ME) Regulations " by ToxEcology and Compass Resource Management (Final Report, August 12, 2004)
• 2-Butoxyethanl and 2-Methoxyethanol - Current Use Patterns in Canada, Toxicology Profiles of Alternatives, and the Feasability of Performing an Exposure Assessment Study" by ToxEcology-Environmental Consulting Ltd. (Final Report, May 23, 2003)
• Inventory of and Technical/Socio-Economic Background Study for 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Methoxyethanol: by Tox Ecology-Environmental Consulting Ltd. (Final report, June 1, 2001)
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre
• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation Web Site