Well, other than adult onset Type 2 diabetes and the regular things we all deal with in life, I have been on an intense study of the chemical that caused harm to the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers ... since June, 2002. 

                          (a non-studied group) *

It was pretty easy to know the chemical of harm (after I got past EPA not telling me) ... it was 2-butoxyethanol. Workers at the time didn't know what they were dealing with as it was an experiment and a new chemical creation of Exxon (ended up earning money on a bad product, if you ask me now; they were spray 'n washing the beaches with a solvent, pesticide, poison that, in cold water, doesn't help bacteria eat any oil - bad plan)

I am learning all I can about this chemical and I talk to every worker I can find ... I am always looking for the workers, and learning from them how their health has been affected.  *  *  *

Anyway about 10 months later I noticed the symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome in wide-eyed amazement, "I recognize these symptoms!" In fact, one would have to have that odd assortment of symptoms to be harmed by this chemical - If you just have one thing, look elsewhere.

Symptoms of Gulf War Illnesses  (according to the American Legion)  Chronic Fatigue Signs and symptoms involving skin (including skin rashes and unusual hair loss) Headache Muscle pain Neurological signs or symptoms (nervous system disorders which could manifest themselves in numbness in one's arms or legs, for instance) Neuropsychological signs or symptoms (including memory loss) Signs or symptoms involving upper or lower respiratory system Sleep disturbances Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms (including recurrent diarrhea and constipation) Cardiovascular signs or symptoms Menstrual disorders

At first, I looked for similarities between the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the cleanup of the oil at the end of the Gulf War 90-91  *

In August, 2003 I noticed that Corexit 9527 was being 'sold' to the Dept of Defense. "Oh, no!"  "Our worst experimental chemical of the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup - 38% 2-butoxyethanol and trace ethylene oxide, too?"  Maybe it's in jet fuel? *

Now, to my surprise recently, the other name for the same chemical is ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. And the reason the gulf war vets are now being said to be no more harmed than the general population *  * ... in my opinion ... is two fold:

• the general population is pandemically affected by this chemical, too

• and neither group is getting a fully accurate diagnosis

So multiple health studies are 'skewed' because the secondary effects are being studied, and 2-butoxyethanol poisoning, the 'stealth killer' is getting away with being the real harm ... all types of endocrine disruption, central nervous system damage, kidney damage, liver damage, skin damage; much more including damage to male testes

Did you know that in the last 50-70 years the sperm count and quality of sperm are steadily declining? (About the same length of time this chemical has come into widespread use?) At this rate it is predicted that males will have zero sperm count by the next 50-70 years. (Several news articles were written in 1996: New Yorker, NY Times, USA Today and Mother Jones AND ...)

Now, if enough is checked in the blood, the culprit can be identified  *  *

It has been difficult to share the information until I learned to do web pages. Do a general search; you should find some.  It can be annoying to people that I seem to have a web page on about everything I want to converse in on this topic; however, I don't suppose anyone knows how much time I have donated to this topic.  (Enough time to write lots and lots of web pages)

I am hoping someone with influence will pick up on the type of studies that will prove the harm of 2-butoxyethanol to people.  There are enough groups out there  *

In the meantime, be aware of the products you use every day with this chemical & don't use without goggles, gloves and ventilation equivalent to outdoors  *

I think Break Free's CLP used for gun cleaning and airplane and auto maintenance should be on the list, too, but it appears only the hazard warnings are, 2-butoxyethanol is not given.  What is the 'proprietary' ingredient?  *

Some companies are getting 'smart' and changing from a figure-it-out-for-yourself policy to boldly stating you can be harmed with kidney damage, blood damage, etc

No negligent failure to warn for this company, 2003 production line.  *

Many industries; many people are harmed by this chemical  *

A nurse of a neurologist - with an interest in 'Gulf War Syndrome' - said to me in August, 03 that she read the studies, and that 2-butoxyethanol wasn't on the list. Who did I think I was anyway? (Well, I wasn't looking for the cause of Gulf War Syndrome, I just may have 'stumbled upon it.') Not studied for the Gulf War Vets? That is precisely the problem. Something not expected to be harmful IS VERY HARMFUL with repeated use. (Well not studied as to what it does to PEOPLE - but there are a lot of studies on the rats and mice, and it IS harmful - why this oxymoron?)

Who am I?  A mother; and someone who cares, as a mother would, about the welfare of others.  My first name is Margaret ... so I just keep it simple & often sign off as 'Mother Margaret'

2-8-04