Butyraldehyde Fact Sheet (CAS No. 123-72-8)


Chemicals can be released to the environment as a result of their
manufacture, processing, and use.  EPA has developed information
summaries on selected chemicals to describe how you might be exposed
to these chemicals, how exposure to them might affect you and the
environment, what happens to them in the environment, who regulates
them, and whom to contact for additional information.  EPA is
committed to reducing environmental releases of chemicals through
source reduction and other practices that reduce creation of
pollutants.



WHAT IS BUTYRALDEHYDE, HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED?

  Butyraldehyde (also called butanal) is a colorless, flammable
liquid.  It occurs naturally in several plants and foods. 
Microorganisms release it as they break down organic material.  
Butyraldehyde is produced in very large amounts (almost 2 billion
pounds in 1992) by five companies in the United States.  U.S. demand
for butyraldehyde is likely to remain steady for the next several
years.  The largest users of butyraldehyde are companies that make
rubber accelerators, synthetic resins, solvents, plasticizers, and
high molecular weight polymers.

  Exposure to butyraldehyde can occur in the workplace or in the
environment following releases to air,  water, land, or groundwater. 
Exposure can also occur when people eat certain foods, such as cheese,
wine, and honey, and when they breathe air contaminated with diesel
exhaust.  Butyraldehyde enters the body when people breathe air or
consume water or food contaminated with butyraldehyde.  It does not
remain in the body due to its breakdown and removal.


WHAT HAPPENS TO BUTYRALDEHYDE IN THE ENVIRONMENT?

  Butyraldehyde evaporates when exposed to air.  It dissolves when
mixed with water.  Most releases of butyraldehyde to the environment
are to air or into underground injection sites.  It evaporates from
water and soil exposed to air.   Once in air, it breaks down to other
chemicals.  Microorganisms that live in water and in soil can also
break down butyraldehyde.  Because it is a liquid that does not bind
well to soil, butyraldehyde that makes its way into the ground can
move through the ground and enter groundwater.  Plants and animals are
not likely to store butyraldehyde.

HOW DOES BUTYRALDEHYDE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

  Effects of butyraldehyde on human health and the environment depend
on how much butyraldehyde is present and the length and frequency of
exposure.  Effects also depend on the health of a person or the
condition of the environment when exposure occurs.

  Exposure to butyraldehyde liquid for short periods of time damages
the eyes.  Exposure to butyraldehyde liquid irritates the skin. 
Studies show that exposure to large amounts of butyraldehyde in air
causes anesthesia in animals.  These effects are not likely to occur
at levels of butyraldehyde that are normally found in the environment.

  Human health effects associated with breathing or otherwise
consuming small amounts of butyraldehyde over long periods of time are
not known.  Laboratory studies show that repeated exposure to large
amounts of butyraldehyde in air can adversely affect the lining of the
nose and the lungs of animals.  Laboratory studies show that repeated
oral exposure to large amounts of butyraldehyde can adversely affect
the stomach.  Limited evidence shows that butyraldehyde may also cause
changes in cells important to the reproductive system of animals. 
Whether these changes affect the ability of animals to reproduce is
not known.

  Butyraldehyde has moderate toxicity to aquatic life.  By itself it
is not likely to cause environmental harm   at levels normally found
in the environment.  Butyraldehyde can contribute to the formation of
photochemical smog when it reacts with other volatile substances in
air.


WHAT EPA OFFICES OR OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR OTHER GROUPS CAN I
CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BUTYRALDEHYDE?

     EPA OFFICE             LAW              PHONE NUMBER
   Pollution                 Emergency Planning
        Prevention           and Community Right-to-Know
        & Toxics             Act (EPCRA) ( 313/ Toxics                 (202) 260-1531
                            Release Inventory data) 
                                           Toxic Substances Control     (202) 554-1404
                                           Act (TSCA) (8A, 8D)
     Air           Clean Air Act (111, 112B)  (919) 541-0888                    
                                           
      For general information on reducing or eliminating industrial
      pollutants through technology transfer, education, and public
      awareness, contact the Pollution Prevention Information
      Clearinghouse, (202) 260-1023.


OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY/DEPARTMENT OR GROUP             PHONE NUMBER
American Industrial Hygiene Association              (703) 849-8888
Consumer Product Safety Commission                   (301) 504-0994
Food and Drug Administration                         (301) 443-3170


The Support Document for this and other OPPT Chemical Fact Sheets can
be found on the Internet at:
   http://www.epa.gov/chemfact/