Baby Safety / Compounds / Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE)

Is Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are vulnerable to Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.

What is diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (dgbe)?

Also known as: 2-(2-Butoxyethoxy)ethanol, DIETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER, Diethylene glycol butyl ether, Butyl carbitol.

CAS number
112-34-5
Molecular formula
C8H18O3
Molecular weight
162.23 g/mol
SMILES
CCCCOCCOCCO
PubChem CID
8177

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are vulnerable to Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Occupational and household exposure to Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) during pregnancy is associated with developmental toxicity. Solvents readily cross the placenta and can cause fetal growth restriction.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
Unknown——

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (dgbe)

  • Consumer Products — cleaning products, paints, lacquers, spray cleaners

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE):

  • Water-based cleaning systems
    Trade-offs: Alternative solvent or process chemistry; solvency parameters (Hansen solubility, Kb value) must be matched to application; VOC content and flammability may differ; worker exposure assessment needed.
    Relative cost: 0.8-1.5×
  • Propylene glycol ethers
    Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (dgbe) safe for kids?

Infants are vulnerable to Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.

What products contain diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (dgbe)?

Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) appears in: cleaning products (Consumer products); paints (Consumer products).

What should I do if my child is exposed to diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (dgbe)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) in the baby app

Look up products containing diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (dgbe), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →