Agent Name |
Methyl isobutyl ketone |
Alternative Name |
Hexone |
CAS Number |
108-10-1 |
Formula |
C6-H12-O |
Major Category |
Solvents |
Synonyms |
2-Methyl-4-pentanone; 2-Methylpropyl methyl ketone; 2-Pentanone, 4-methyl-; 4-Methyl-2-oxopentane; 4-Methyl-2-pentanon [Czech]; 4-Methyl-2-pentanone; 4-Methyl-2-pentanone (natural); 4-Methyl-pentan-2-on [Dutch, German]; 4-Metilpentan-2-one [Italian]; Hexanone; Hexon [Czech]; Hexone; Isobutyl methyl ketone; Isobutyl-methylketon [Czech]; Isohexanone; Isopropyl acetone; Isopropylacetone; Ketone, isobutyl methyl; MIBK; Methyl isobutyl ketone; Methyl-isobutyl-cetone [French]; Methylisobutylketon [Dutch, German]; Metilisobutilchetone [Italian]; Metyloizobutyloketon [Polish]; Shell MIBK; [ChemIDplus] UN1245 |
Category |
Ketones |
Description |
Colorless liquid with a pleasant odor; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent in the paint, synthetic resin, adhesive, aircraft, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries; [ACGIH] |
Comments |
MIBK 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] Fatty livers are observed in guinea pigs exposed to lethal concentrations (28,000 ppm). [HSDB] "TLV basis" is eye and respiratory tract irritation and kidney damage. [ACGIH] |
Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
Exposure Assessment |
BEI |
MIBK in urine = 2 mg/L; sample at end of shift; |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
50 ppm |
STEL (ACGIH) |
75 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
MAK |
20 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
500 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Among a group of workers exposed to concentrations of 500 ppm for 20 to 30 minutes and about 80 ppm for the rest of the shift, most experienced irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, weakness, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a sore throat [Linari et al. 1964]. |
Vapor Pressure |
19.9 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.1 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
7.8 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 100,000 mg/m3 |
Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.88 ppm); See 2008 Notice of Intended Changes. [ACGIH] Flash point = 23 deg C; |
Half Life |
Blood: initial fast phase = 12 minutes, then slow phase = 1 hour; [TDR, p. 886] |
Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
Adverse Effects |
Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE
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