Cis-2-butene is a natural product, which can be found in grdelia hirsutula, grdelia stricta and other organisms with data.

The cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene were identified by GC - FID and GC - MS.

Tenax gas chromatography or cartridge method is used as adsorbent, and liquid nitrogen is  used  as  coolant.  Low  temperature  sampling  method  is  used  to  capture  olefins  in ambient air, including cis-2-butene, and analyze them in a 2-column system equipped with two flame ionization detectors.

The olefins (including cis-2-butene) in phreatic gas were identified and detected by mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. The sources of pollutants are paint, coating, sealant and compressed breathing gas supply.

An  external vacuum  air  collector using  Teflon  and Tedra bags  is  used to  sample  non methane hydrocarbons in the air, including cis-2-butene. The air sample is introduced into the gas chromatograph by using the low temperature capture technology, and the air sample is analyzed by gas chromatography. Non methane hydrocarbons were detected in the atmosphere around New York City.

Chemiluminescence  instrument  reacts  with  all  hydrocarbons  containing  olefin  double bonds, including cis-2-butene, and compounds containing sulfide or amino group. The output  of this  monitor  is  compared  with  the  measurement  results  of traditional  non methane hydrocarbon monitor for 40  days, and the results  are similar in  nature. The possibility of using the monitor in air quality measurement is discussed.

Cis-2-butene is a colorless gas. It is used in solvents, as a crosslinking agent, in gasoline polymerization, in butadiene synthesis, and in the synthesis of C4  and C5 derivatives. Human  studies:  Cis-2-butene  is  a  simple  asphyxiant.  The  rapid  evaporation  of liquid 2-butene (cis or trans, or a mixture of both) may cause frostbite. This substance may have an effect on the central nervous system. Exposure to air may cause unconsciousness.

The  production  of  cis-2-butene  and  its  use  as  solvent,  crosslinking  agent,  gasoline polymerization, butadiene synthesis and C4 and C5 derivatives synthesis may lead to its release into the environment through various waste streams. If released into the air, the vapor pressure gauge of 1600 mm Hg at 25 ° C indicates that cis-2-butene will only exist in the  atmosphere  as  a gas. The  gas  phase  cis-2-butene  reacts  and  degrades with photochemical hydroxyl radicals, ozone molecules and nitrate radicals in the atmosphere; The half-life of the reaction with hydroxyl radical in air is estimated to be 7 hours; The half-life of the reaction with ozone molecules is estimated to be 2 hours; The half-life of the reaction with nitrate free radicals at night is estimated to be 0.5 hours. Cis-2-butene does not contain chromophores absorbed at the wavelength of>~290 nm, so it is not easy to be photolyzed directly by sunlight. If released into the soil, the estimated Koc is 100, and cis-2-butene is expected to have a high mobility. 

According to Henry's law constant of 0.231  atm  cu/mol, volatilization prediction  of wet  soil  surface  is  an  important fate process. Cis-2-butene can volatilize from the surface of dry soil  according to its vapor pressure. No biodegradation data in soil or water. However, based on the study of pure culture leading to the oxidation of maleic butene and the accumulation of metabolites, preliminary biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in soil and water under  certain  conditions. If released into water,  cis-2-butene is  not expected to adsorb onto suspended solids and sediments according to estimated Koc. According to Henry's law constant of the compound, volatilization from water surface is an important fate process. The volatilization half-life of the model river and the model lake is estimated to be  2 hours  and  3 days, respectively.  BCF is  estimated to be  16, indicating that the biological concentration potential of aquatic organisms is very low. Since the compound lacks  functional  groups  that  hydrolyze  under  environmental  conditions  (pH  5  to  9), hydrolysis  is   not   expected  to  be   an  important   environmental   change  process.   In workplaces  where  cis-2-butene  is  produced  or  used,  occupational  exposure  to  cis-2-butene may occur through inhalation and skin contact with the compound. The general population may be exposed to cis-2-butene through inhalation of ambient air, especially air  near  fuel  emission  sources,  inhalation  of  tobacco  smoke,  and  skin  contact  with consumer   products   containing   cis-2-butene,   especially   during   the   use   of  gasoline products.