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CarCareTruthProducts · Ranked

Butane

  • Aliphatic solvents
  • CAS 106-97-8
  • IUPAC: Butane

Butane (CAS 106-97-8) appears in 17 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026). It is readily biodegradable.

Simple asphyxiant and extremely flammable gas (H220). No organ toxicity. Risk profile is identical to propane — fire and explosion hazard only. Keep away from heat sources and open flames.

Butane is a four-carbon alkane used alongside propane as an aerosol propellant. Its slightly higher boiling point (−1°C vs −42°C for propane) makes it useful for improving cold-weather spray performance in propellant blends. The two gases together give aerosol products consistent spray behavior across a wider temperature range than either alone.

The GHS classification is H220 (extremely flammable gas) and H280 (gas under pressure) — fire hazard only, no specific inhalation toxicity beyond simple asphyxiation at very high concentrations. Not on Prop 65. Disperses as a gas immediately upon release; no aquatic pathway.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
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
4/5
Purpose: Aerosol propellant — used with propane to pressurize and atomize aerosol products; higher boiling point than propane provides better spray performance at lower temperatures

Common questions about Butane

What is Butane used for in car care?
Aerosol propellant — used with propane to pressurize and atomize aerosol products; higher boiling point than propane provides better spray performance at lower temperatures
Is Butane a VOC?
No. Butane is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Butane on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Butane is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Butane biodegradable?
Yes. Butane has a confirmed biodegradable profile.

17 products 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.