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Acetone
Description: Acetone (C.A.S. 67-64-1) is the simplest and most important of the ketones. It is a colorless liquid with a mildly pungent and somewhat aromatic odor. It is primarily used as a chemical intermediate and as a solvent for cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose. It is used as a carrier for acetylene, and as a raw material for the chemical synthesis of a wide range of products such as ketene, methyl methacrylate, bisphenol A, diacetone alcohol, mesityl oxide, methyl isobutyl ketone, hexylene glycol, and isophorone. Chemical properties: Acetone is a mobile, flammable liquid that is miscible in all proportions with water and with organic solvents such as ether, methanol, ethyl alcohol, and esters. It is incompatible and reactive with oxidizers and acids. Containers of acetone may explode in a fire, producing poisonous gases. Acetone fires may be controlled with carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguishers. Acetone undergoes many condensation reactions; in the presence of an amine, or ammonia, various esters condense readily with acetone. Synonyms for acetone are dimethyl ketone, methyl ketone, dimethylformaldehyde, ketone propane, and 2-propanone. Acetone is considered a volatile organic compound by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Identification: Health effects: When acetone is inhaled, it irritates the eyes, nose and throat. When ingested, it causes dizziness, headaches, light-headedness, dermatitis, and possible unconsciousness. Prolonged or repeated contact with the liquid may dry and defat the skin and cause dermatitis. High exposures may damage the liver and the kidneys; long-term exposure can cause chronic nose and throat irritation. Exposure Values: Economics: U.S. manufacturers of acetone are Allied-Signal, Inc, Philadelphia, PA; Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN; General Electric Company, Mount Vernon, IN; Georgia Gulf Corporation, Bound Brook, NJ; The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Bayport, TX; JLM Chemicals Company, Blue Island, IL; Shell Oil Company, Deer Park, TX; Wood River, IL; Texaco, Inc, El Dorado, KS; Union Carbide Corporation, Institute, WV; Aristech Chemical Corp, Haverhill, OH; and Dow Chemical USA, Oyster Creek, TX. Regulation: OSHA has established permissible exposure limits for acetone of 750 ppm (1,800 mg/m3) _ time-weighted average, and 1,000 ppm (2,400 mg/m3) short-term exposure limit. EPA offices overseeing regulations and guidelines for acetone are Toxic Substances, Water Regulations and Standards, and Pesticide Programs. In 1995, Acetone was initially regulated under Section 313 (Toxics Release Inventory) of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, but it was delisted in 1995. National Overview of 1998 Toxic Release Inventory See EPA's Toxic Release Inventory. Notations: The NIOSH recommended exposure limits (RELs) are time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek. A short-term exposure limit (STEL) is designated by "ST" preceding the value; unless noted otherwise, the STEL is a 15-minute TWA exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a workday. A ceiling REL is designated by "C" preceding the value. Any substance that NIOSH considers to be a potential occupational carcinogen is designated by the notation "Ca." The OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL) are found in Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 of the OSHA General Industry Air Contaminants Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000). Unless noted otherwise, PEL are TWA concentrations that must not be exceeded during any 8-hour workshift of a 40-hour workweek. A STEL is designated by "ST" preceding the value and is measured over a 15-minute period unless noted otherwise. OSHA ceiling concentrations (designated by "C" preceding the value) must not be exceeded during any part of the workday; if instantaneous monitoring is not feasible, the ceiling must be assessed as a 15-minute TWA exposure. In addition, there are a number of substances from Table Z-2 (e.g., beryllium, ethylene dibromide, etc.) that have PEL ceiling values that must not be exceeded except for specified excursions. For example, a "5-minute maximum peak in any 2 hours" means that a 5-minute exposure above the ceiling value, but never above the maximum peak, is allowed in any 2 hours during an 8-hour workday. Information Sources:
Originally published in Environment Writer by the National Safety Council. Reprinted with permission. Environment Writer Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Office of Marine Programs Narragansett, RI 02882 Tel: 401-874-6211; Fax: 401-874-6485 Disclaimer * Copyright 2002-2006 * All rights reserved. * University of Rhode Island |