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1-Butanol

  • Alcohol solvents
  • CAS 71-36-3
  • IUPAC: butan-1-ol

1-Butanol (CAS 71-36-3) appears in 1 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026). It is classified as a VOC.

Classified as a flammable liquid (H226) and acute oral toxicant (H302 — Harmful if swallowed) at ingredient level. OSHA PEL is 100 ppm ceiling. SARA Section 313 reportable. At trace concentrations (≤0.0005%) in finished consumer products, mixture-level classification is typically not triggered. No Prop 65 listing, no asthmagen classification.

1-Butanol (n-butyl alcohol) is a short-chain aliphatic alcohol used as a solvent and co-solvent in water-based cleaning formulations. At trace concentrations (≤0.001%) in consumer all-purpose cleaners, it functions primarily as a fragrance carrier or process byproduct from glycol ether synthesis rather than an active cleaning agent. The ingredient-level GHS classification (H226 flammable, H302 harmful if swallowed) does not carry through to mixture-level classification when present below the concentration threshold in a water-based product.

Health & environment profile

VOC
yes
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
3/5
Purpose: Solvent, co-solvent in water-based cleaners, fragrance carrier; present at trace levels as a manufacturing byproduct in glycol-ether-containing formulas

Common questions about 1-Butanol

What is 1-Butanol used for in car care?
Solvent, co-solvent in water-based cleaners, fragrance carrier; present at trace levels as a manufacturing byproduct in glycol-ether-containing formulas
Is 1-Butanol a VOC?
Yes. 1-Butanol is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is 1-Butanol on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. 1-Butanol is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is 1-Butanol biodegradable?
Yes. 1-Butanol has a confirmed biodegradable profile.

1 product contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.