| Agent Name |
2-Butanone |
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| Alternative Name |
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) |
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| CAS Number |
78-93-3 |
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| Formula |
C4-H8-O |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
2-Butanone; 3-Butanone; AI3-07540 (USDA); Acetone, methyl-; Aethylmethylketon [German]; Butanone 2 [French]; Ethyl methyl cetone [French]; Ethyl methyl ketone; Ethylmethylcetone [French]; Ethylmethylketon [Dutch]; Ketone, ethyl methyl; MEK; Meetco; Methyl acetone; Methylethyl ketone; Methylethylketone; Metiletilcetona [Spanish]; Metiletilchetone [Italian]; Metyl ethyl ketone; Metyloetyloketon [Polish]; [ChemIDplus] UN1193 |
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| Category |
Ketones |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a moderately sharp, fragrant, mint- or acetone-like odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent for surface coatings, oils, resins, artificial leather, rubbers, and glues; usually found in mixtures with other solvents; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Butanone is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
MEK in urine = 2 mg/L; sample at end of shift; |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
200 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
300 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
200 ppm |
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| MAK |
200 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
3000 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
It has been reported that 3,000 ppm is irritating to the eyes and nose [Patty et al. 1935]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
90.6 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
2 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
85 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 23,500mg/m3/8H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 16 ppm); Flash point = 26 deg F; |
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| Half Life |
Blood: 49-96 minutes; urine: 4 hours; [TDR, p. 1700] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - 2-Butanone |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: METHYL ETHYL KETONE
|
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