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41999 
Journal Article 
Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of 2-butoxyethanol and its metabolite, 2-butoxyacetaldehyde, in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-AS52) cells 
Chiewchanwit, T; Au, WW 
1995 
1 
Mutation Research
ISSN: 0027-5107
EISSN: 1873-135X 
EMIC/96901 
334 
3 
341-346 
English 
7753097 
WOS:A1995QW61200008 
2-Methoxyethanol (2-ME) is being substituted by 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE) as a solvent for the preparation of industrial and consumer products. Since we have shown that a metabolite of 2-methoxyethanol, methoxyacetaldehyde (MALD), is mutagenic in a subline of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-AS52), we have conducted a similar study using 2-BE and its metabolite, butoxyacetaldehyde (BALD). The results indicate that 2-BE and BALD are not mutagenic to CHO-AS52 cells. However, 2-BE is more cytotoxic than 2-ME. In comparison of our study with others on glycol ethers, the data indicate that, for glycol ethers, cytotoxicity increased with chain length of the alkyl groups. For their metabolites, mutagenicity increases with reduced chain length. Therefore, we suggest that safer solvents should be developed for use in preparation of products. 
2-Methoxyethanol; 2-Butoxyethanol; Methoxyacetaldehyde; 2-Butoxyacetaldehyde; Chinese hamster ovary cells; Cytotoxicity; Gene mutation