Information Regarding Acetone and Solvent
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~1jfynp:1
ACETONE
CASRN: 67-64-1
Consumption Patterns :
CHEMICAL PROFILE: Acetone.
Methylmethacrylate, methacrylic acid and higher methacrylates, 34%; coatings solvent,
15%; bisphenol-A, 12%; MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone), 10%; solvent
for cellulose acetate, 5%; drug and pharmaceutical applications, 5%;
miscellaneous chemical and solvent uses, 6%; exports,
5%.
Preventive Measures :
A major concern in the painting studio is solvents,
/including acetone/. ... Precautions include ... use of
dilution and local exhaust ventilation, control of storage areas, disposal of solvent
soaked rags in covered containers, minimizing skin exposure and the use of
respirators and other personal protective equipment. The control of fire hazards
is also important, since many of the solvents are
highly flammable.
Human Toxicity Excerpts :
A total of 659 males occupationally exposed to
acetone and other solvents
were divided into nine unrelated groups working in plastic boat, chemical,
plastic button, paint, and shoe factories. Urine samples were collected at the
beginning of the workshift and at the end of the first half of the shift. A
close relationship (correlation coefficient always above 0.85) between the
average environmental solvent concentration (mg/cu m)
measured in the breathing zone and the urinary concentration of unchanged solvent
(ug/l) was observed. A Biological Equivalent Exposure Limit (56 mg/l)
corresponding to the environmental Threshold Limit Value (58 mg/l) was
recommended for acetone. The biological exposure data
for urine collected over 4 hr during random sampling for at least 1 yr could be
used to evaluate long-term exposure and probability of non-compliance for
individual or groups of workers.
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :
The frequency of recessive chlorophyll and
embryonic lethals included by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in
Arabidopsis thaliana was markedly increased when exposure of the seeds to
N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidene (3 hr) was carried out in the presence of
4-12% acetone, 4-16% ethanol, or 8-32%
dimethylformamide. The enhancement of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidene
mutagenicity was proportional to the concentrations of these organic solvents.
In contrast, none of the solvents, when applied at the
same conditions and doses, influenced the mutagenic activity of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.
The solvents without mutagens did not influence the
spontaneous rate of mutations and revealed no or very weak toxic effect as
measured by the seed germination.
Major Uses :
CHEM INT FOR METHYL METHACRYLATE, METHACRYLIC
ACID & HIGHER METHACRYLATES, METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE, METHYL ISOBUTYL
CARBINOL, BISPHENOL A, ISOPHORONE; SPINNING SOLVENT IN
MFR OF CELLULOSE ACETATE; SOLVENT FOR ADHESIVES &
PRINTING INKS, ACETYLENE
Toxicity Summary :
Exposure to acetone
results from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Acetone
also occurs as a metabolic component in blood, urine and human breath. ... Acetone
is one of three ketone bodies that occur naturally throughout the body. It can
be formed endogenously in the mammalian body from fatty acid oxidation. Fasting,
diabetes mellitus and strenuous exercise increase endogenous generation of acetone.
Under normal conditions, the production of ketone bodies occurs almost entirely
within the liver and to a smaller extent in the lung and kidney. ... Products
are excreted in the blood and transported to all tissues and organs of the body
where they can be used as a source of energy. Two of these ketone bodies,
acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, are organic acids that can cause
metabolic acidosis when produced in large amounts, as in diabetes mellitus. ...
Endogenous acetone is eliminated from the body either
by excretion in urine and exhaled air or by enzymatic metabolism. ... Acetone
is rapidly absorbed via the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of human and
laboratory animals, as indicated by the detection of acetone
in blood within 30 min of inhalation exposure and 20 min of oral administration.
... The nasal cavities of human and laboratory animals appear to have a limited
ability to absorb and excrete acetone vapor, compared
with the remainder of the respiratory tract. Acetone is
uniformly distributed among non-adipose tissues and does not accumulate in
adipose tissue. ... Acetone is rapidly cleared from the
body by metabolism and excretion. ... Exhalation is the major route of
elimination for acetone and its terminal metabolite
(carbon dioxide), and the fraction of administered acetone
that is exhaled as unchanged acetone is dose-related.
Urinary excretion of acetone and its metabolites occurs
but this route of elimination is minor ... Exogenously supplied acetone
enters into many metabolic reactions in tissues throughout the body, but the
liver appears to be the site of most extensive metabolism. Carbon from orally
administered acetone has been detected in cholesterol,
amino acids, fatty acids and glycogen in rat tissues, urea in urine and
unchanged acetone and CO2 in exhaled breath.
Metabolically, acetone is degraded to acetate and
formate ... Oral LD50 values in adult rats are in the range of 5800-7138 mg/kg.
... Experimental animal data characterizing the effects of long term oral or
inhalation exposure to acetone are not available, due
probably to its low toxicity and its endogenous characteristics. ...
Pretreatment of rodents with acetone enhances the
hepatotoxic effects of a number of compounds, notably halogenated alkanes. ... Acetone
is not considered to be genotoxic or mutagenic. ... In a study of pregnant rats
and mice exposed to acetone vapor during days 6-19 of
gestation, slight developmental toxicity was observed ... Reports of other
reproductive effects of acetone include observations of
testicular effects and changes of sperm quality in rats ... Acetone
has been used extensively as a solvent vehicle in skin
carcinogenicity studies and is not considered carcinogenic when applied to the
skin. Acetone is relatively less toxic than many other
industrial solvents; however, at high concentrations, acetone
vapor can cause CNS depression, cardiorespiratory failure and death. Acute
exposures of humans to atmospheric concentrations ... have been reported to
produce either no gross toxic effects or minor transient effects, such as eye
irritation. More severe transient effects (including vomiting and fainting) were
reported for workers exposed to acetone vapor
concentrations ... for about 4 hr. Acute exposures to acetone
have also been reported to alter performances in neurobehavioral tests in
humans. ... Females ... were reported to suffer menstrual irregularities.
Interactions :
The influence of organo-antimony and organo-bismuth
compounds was determined. Significant antagonistic and synergistic solvent-compound
interactions occurred when the acetone concentrations
exceeded 0.4% (vol/vol). At < 0.4%, only additive responses were observed.
The fungitoxicity of the test compounds was determined by using acetone
as the carrier solvent at a final concn of 0.1% (vol/vol).
Trivalent organo-bismuth compounds were the most fungitoxic. ...
Manufacturers :
Union Carbide Corporation, Hq, Old Ridgebury
Road, Danbury, CT 06817, (203) 794-2000; Chemicals and Plastics Business Group; Solvents
and Coatings Materials Division; Production site: Institute, WV 25103
Major Uses :
SOLVENT FOR FATS,
OILS, WAXES, RESINS, RUBBER, PLASTICS, LACQUERS, VARNISHES, RUBBER CEMENTS
Consumption Patterns :
25% FOR METHYL METHACRYLATE; 14% FOR METHYL
ISOBUTYL KETONE; 10% AS COATING SOLVENT; 10% FOR OTHER
ORGANIC CHEMS; 6% IN PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURE; 5% FOR METHACRYLIC ACID AND
HIGHER METHACRYLATES; 5% FOR BISPHENOL-A; 4% FOR CELLULOSE ACETATE SPINNING; 21%
FOR MISC (1973)
Consumption Patterns :
33% METHYL METHACRYLATE, METHACRYLIC ACID AND
HIGHER METHACRYLATES; 17% SOLVENTS; 10% MIBK; 9%
BISPHENOL-A; 7% ALDOL CHEMICAL; 6% PHARMACEUTICALS AND COSMETICS; 2% METHYL
ISOBUTYL CARBENOL; 4.5% EXPORTS; 11.5% MISC (1985)
Disposal Methods :
Incineration: Spray into a furnace.
Incineration will become easier by mixing with a more flammable solvent.
Human Toxicity Excerpts :
Acetone can be placed
among solvents of comparatively low acute and chronic
toxicities. Acetone does not have sufficient warning
properties to prevent repeated exposures to vapors which may have adverse
effects. There has been no reports that prolonged inhalation of low vapor
concentrations result in any serious chronic effects in humans.
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :
Sensitivity of developing chicken embryos to
various solvents was investigated. Acetone
(0.10 ml/egg injected) significantly reduced the percentage hatchability &
caused a high embryonic mortality during the first wk of incubation.
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :
10.5 day-old rat embryos were cultured for 2
days in whole rat serum containing 0.1, 0.5, & 2.5 vol% of acetone.
No adverse effects occurred at 0.1% concn. The order of increasing
embryotoxicity & dysmorphogenesis of the studied liquids was corn oil < acetone/corn
oil < dimethyl sulfoxide < ethanol, acetone <
Tween 80. Any of the water miscible solvents (at 0.1%)
met the criteria of a nontoxic & nonteratogenic water insol cmpd delivery
system for in vitro embryo culture.
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :
Acetone was used as a
solvent control in this experiment and 0.2 ml was
applied to the shaved dorsa of 50 male and 50 female SHEL:CF1,SPF mice once per
week from six weeks of age to two years. All dead and dying animals were
autopsied as well as all animals still alive at 2 years. Local irritation was
noted at the application site of a few animals. One subcutaneous fibrosarcoma
observed in one male was considered ... to be incidental. There were 17/50
tumors in the males and 13/50 tumors in the females, considered to be a normal
rate for this strain (primarily tumors of the lymphoreticular or hematopoietic
system). A second study using 100 mice for each sex, and identical treatment and
autopsy regimens resulted in negative results for the skin and similar
background rates for tumors of the lymphoreticular or hematopoietic systems, ie:
30/100 for males and 29/100 for the females.
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :
The effects of combinations of chemicals known
to individually induce aneuploidy were tested on the diploid
Saccharomyces-cerevisiae strain D61.M. Exponential phase cultures of the yeast
were treated with nocodazole, ethyl acetate, acetone,
and methyl ethyl ketone alone or in combination, incubated at 28 degrees C for 4
hours, held in an ice bath for 16 hours, incubated at 28 degrees C for an
additional 4 hours, and then diluted and plated onto selective media. Treatment
of yeast strain D61.M with mixtures containing nocodazole levels too low to
induce aneuploidy and ineffective low levels of the solvents
ethyl acetate, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone was
highly effective in inducing aneuploidy. The synergistic effect did not depend
on the cold holding period during treatment.
Absorption, Distribution & Excretion :
ACETONE IS ONE OF THE
LEAST HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS, BUT IS HIGHLY
VOLATILE AND MAY BE INHALED IN LARGE QUANTITIES. IT MAY BE ABSORBED INTO THE
BLOOD THROUGH THE LUNGS AND DIFFUSED THROUGHOUT THE BODY. SMALL QUANTITIES MAY
BE ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN.
Interactions :
The toxicity of
1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane, and aldrin to sugarcane
leafhopper (Pyrilla perpusilla) depended on the solvent
used; ie, the insecticides were more effective when dissolved in ethanol, than
in methanol, followed by acetone.
Therapeutic Uses :
Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Pharmaceutic
Aids; Solvents
Therapeutic Uses :
PHARMACEUTICAL AID (SOLVENT)
Environmental Fate/Exposure Summary :
Acetone's production
and use as a solvent for fats, oils, waxes, resins,
rubbers, plastics, pharmaceuticals and rubber cements may result in its release
to the environment through various waste streams. Its use as an extracting
reagent and starting material or intermediate in the manufacture of chemical
products will also lead to its release to the environment. Acetone
occurs naturally as a metabolic byproduct of plants and animals and is released
into the atmosphere by volcanoes and forest fires. Based on an experimental
vapor pressure of 231 mm Hg at 25 deg C, acetone is
expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase acetone
is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl
radicals with an estimated atmospheric half-life of 71 days. Acetone
also undergoes photodecomposition by sunlight with an estimated half-life of
about 80 days. Acetone is expected to have very high
mobility in soils based upon an estimated Koc value of 1. Volatilization from
dry soil surfaces is expected based upon the vapor pressure of this compound.
Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is also expected based upon the measured
Henry's Law constant of 1.87X10-5 atm-cu m/mol. This compound is expected to
biodegrade under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In water, acetone
is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids or sediment based upon its
estimated Koc value. Volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be an
important environmental fate process given its estimated Henry's Law constant.
Estimated half-lives for a model river and model lake are 38 and 333 hours,
respectively. Experimentally determined volatilization half-lives in a shallow
stream were measured in the range of 8-18 hours. Bioconcentration in aquatic
organisms is considered low based upon an estimated BCF value of 1. Occupational
exposure may be through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at
workplaces where acetone is produced or used. The
general population may be exposed to acetone through
the use of commercially available products containing this compound such as
paints, adhesives, cosmetics, and rubber cements. Exposure will also arise from
inhalation of ambient air, ingestion of drinking water, and food that contains acetone.
(SRC)
Artificial Pollution Sources :
Acetone's production
and use as a solvent for fats, oils, waxes, resins,
rubbers, plastics, pharmaceuticals and rubber cements(1,2) will result in its
release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). Its use as an
extracting reagent and starting material or intermediate in the manufacture of
chemical products(1) will also lead to its release to the environment(SRC).
Probable Routes of Human Exposure :
NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has
statistically estimated that 1,510,107 workers (466,677 of these are female) are
potentially exposed to Acetone in the US(1).
Occupational exposure may be through inhalation and dermal contact with this
compound at workplaces where acetone is produced or
used(SRC). The 8 hour TWA exposure to acetone was in
the range of 0-70,000 umols/cu m in a survey of 659 occupationally exposed male
subjects working in shoe, plastics and chemical plants in Italy (2). Workers in
a Japanese acetate fiber producing plant had detectable levels of acetone
in urine samples between 1 and 160 mg/l(3). The average TWA exposure to acetone
in 7 spray painting and glue spraying plants was 0.9, 3.2, 2.3 0.9 and 5.6 ppm
for higher-aromatic paint spraying, lower-aromatic paint spraying, glue
spraying, solvent wiping, and paint mixing
respectively(4).
Allowable Tolerances :
Residues of acetone
are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a solvent,
cosolvent in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or
occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing
crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.
RCRA Requirements :
F003; When acetone is
a spent solvent, it is classified as a hazardous waste
from a nonspecific source (F003), as stated in 40 CFR 261.31, and must be
managed according to State and/or Federal hazardous waste regulations.
Clinical Laboratory Methods :
A gas chromatographic method for determining acetone
in biological tissues is described. Solvent was
extracted with nitrogen gas from specimen & adsorbed on porous polymer (Porapak
Q). Concentrations ranging between 17 nmol/g tissue in nonexposed animals &
1.8 mumol/g tissue in exposed mice were determined.
GLCC
RELATED TOXIC SUBSTANCES FOUND IN THE CAMP POND AND CAMP WATER WELL 2003 AND
2004
GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND THE PATHFINDERS CAMP