ethoxylated alcohol is a surfactant.
From WIkipedia: Diethylene glycol butyl ether serves as a solvent for paints and varnishes, in the chemical industry, household detergents, brewing chemicals and textile processing.
From DOW chemical co.: DGBE studies show it is unlikely to cause adverse environmental impact because it readily biodegrades, does not bioaccumulate and has low acute toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Health Information
DGBE has low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity, and is not a skin sensitizer.
When used improperly, DGBE can cause severe eye irritation and slight corneal injury. Prolonged contact may cause slight skin irritation with local redness, but is unlikely to result in absorption of harmful amounts. High oral repeated doses in rats caused red blood cell damage as well as changes in the liver, kidneys and stomach.
DGBE has not been found to be mutagenic, teratogenic, fetotoxicor
neurotoxic. It did not cause birth defects, interfere with reproduction or show toxicity to fetuses