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Chemical Sampling Information: |
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| 2-Butanone |
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General Description
Synonyms: Methyl Ethyl Ketone; MEK; Ethyl Methyl Ketone; Methylethylketone; Composite Constituent
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0430
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 78-93-3
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: EL6475000
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1193 127;
1232 127
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, 2-Butanone: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA; 300 ppm, 885 mg/m3 STEL; BEI (TLV listed under Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK))
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA; 300 ppm, 885 mg/m3 STEL
Health Factors
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 3,000 ppm
Potential symptoms: Eye, nose skin irritation; headache, dizziness; nausea, vomiting; weakness, fatigue, reduced coordination, sleep disturbances; numbness in hands and feet, arms and legs; heaviness in chest; arrhythmia; fainting, unconsciousness; eye burns and permanent damage (from contact with liquid); skin drying, cracking, itching, dermatitis; INGES ACUTE: Irritation of mouth, throat, stomach; stomach pain; diarrhea; death has occurred following the ingestion of one ounce.
Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15); Narcosis (HE8); Suspected neuropathy (HE7); Explosive, flammable (HE18).
Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS
Notes: 1) Vapor/air mixtures are explosive. 2) 2-Butanone is metabolized by reduction to 2-butanol or oxidation to 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, but occupational exposure is best monitored by urinary 2-butanone, which correlates with inhalational exposure. 3) It may be a substrate for cytochrome P450-2E1 and decrease the metabolism of other substrates for this enzyme acutely. 4) Elimination from the blood occurs in two phases, one with an average half-life of about 30 minutes and the other with an average half-life of about 80 minutes. 5) 2-Butanone is permitted by the FDA for direct addition to food as a flavoring substance or adjuvant (21 CFR 172.515). 6) Developmental toxicity of 2-butanone in rodents has been reported.
Date Last Revised: 01/13/2005
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: 2-Butanone.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Methyl ethyl ketone.
- U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) (CASRN 78-93-3).
- Kawai, T., et al.: Methyl isobutyl ketone and methyl ethyl ketone in urine as biological markers of occupational exposure to these solvents at low levels. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 76(1): 17-23, 2003.
- Liira, J., Riihimäki, V. and Pfäffli, P.: Kinetics of methyl ethyl ketone in man: absorption, distribution and elimination in inhalation exposure. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 60(3): 195-200, 1988.
- Mathews, J.M., Raymer, J.H., Etheridge, A.S., Velez, G.R. and Bucher, J.R.: Do endogenous volatile organic chemicals measured in breath reflect and maintain CYP2E1 levels in vivo? Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 146(2): 255-260, 1997.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Methyl ethyl ketone. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1566-1568.
- Shibata, E., Johanson, G., Löf, A., Ernstgård, L., Gullstrand, E. and Sigvardsson, K.: Changes in n-hexane toxicokinetics in short-term single exposure due to co-exposure to methyl ethyl ketone in volunteers. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 75(6): 399-405, 2002.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Anasorb CMS
analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:N,N-Dimethylformamide
maximum volume: 12 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1004)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:N,N-Dimethylformamide
minimum time: 5 Minutes maximum time: 240 Minutes
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1004)
method classification: Fully Validated
note: Persons using diffusive samplers to monitor workplace air must ensure that the sampling devices are properly closed before transporting such devices to the laboratory for analysis. The device will continue to sample until properly closed. Diffusive sampler accessories used for analysis of samplers must be included with transported samples. Persons using such devices must provide sampling-site station barometric pressure and temperature to the analytical laboratory to improve accuracy of sampling results.
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sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (3M 3520 Organic Vapor Monitor)
analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:N,N-Dimethylformamide
minimum time: 5 Minutes maximum time: 240 Minutes
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1004)
method classification: Fully Validated
note: Persons using diffusive samplers to monitor workplace air must ensure that the sampling devices are properly closed before transporting such devices to the laboratory for analysis. The device will continue to sample until properly closed. Diffusive sampler accessories used for analysis of samplers must be included with transported samples. Persons using such devices must provide sampling-site station barometric pressure and temperature to the analytical laboratory to improve accuracy of sampling results.
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sampling media: Carbosieve S-III Tube (130/65 mg sections; 60/80 mesh)
analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethyl Formamide
maximum volume: 3 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
maximum volume: 0.75 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (STEL)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 84)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Two Silica Gel Tubes in series (150/75mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: Dimethyl Sulfoxide
alternate analytical solvent: Ethanol
maximum volume: 3 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min (TWA)
maximum volume: 1.5 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min (STEL)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 16)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Anasorb 747 (150/75 mg sections; 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: Carbon disulfide
maximum volume: 12 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.20 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 2500)
method classification: Fully Validated
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