Isophorone

Agent Name
Isophorone
CAS Number
78-59-1
Formula
C9-H14-O
Major Category
Other Classes
Isophorone formula graphical representation
Synonyms
1,1,3-Trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-5-one; 2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 3,5,5-trimethyl-; 3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-on [German, Dutch]; 3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one; 3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-cyclohexenone; 3,5,5-Trimetil-2-cicloesen-1-one [Italian]; Isoacetophorone; Isoforon; Isoforone [Italian]; Isooctopherone; Isophorone; Izoforon [Polish]; [ChemIDplus] UN8027
Category
Aliphatic Ketones, Other
Description
Colorless to white liquid with a peppermint-like odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as a solvent for coatings, especially vinyl resins applied by roller; also used as a chemical intermediate and a solvent for other materials; [ACGIH]
Comments
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS] Isophorone is a skin irritant. [Quick CPC]
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
Ceiling (ACGIH)
5 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
25 ppm
MAK
2 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
200 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the UCC [1971] report that exposure of animals for 1 hour to 880 ppm caused serious organ damage; only 1 of 6 animals died from an 8­hour exposure to air saturated with isophorone (approximately 525 ppm at 77°F). . . . Human data: A few of the 11 or 12 volunteers exposed for a few minutes to 200 or 400 ppm complained of nausea, headache, dizziness, faintness, inebriation, and a feeling of suffocation [Smyth and Seaton 1940].
Vapor Pressure
0.438 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.19 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.53 ppm
RD50
27 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 7,000 mg/m3/4h
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.19 ppm); Flash point = 84 deg C; VP from HSDB;
Reference Link #2
NFPA
high ambient temp required

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: