Methyl isobutyl ketone

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 (<C12)

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 #1

Biomedical References

MIBK in urine = 1 mg/L; sample at end of shift; [ACGIH]

Insufficient data

20 ppm

75 ppm

100 ppm

20 ppm

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].

19.9 mm Hg

0.1 ppm

Odor Threshold High

7.8 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 100,000 mg/m3

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.88 ppm); Flash point = 23 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Blood: initial fast phase = 12 minutes, then slow phase = 1 hour; [TDR, p. 886]

Reference Link #2

may ignite at ambient temp

Acute solvent syndrome

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Possible (2b)

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing
• Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)
• Working with Glues and Adhesives