Ketene

Synonyms

Carbomethene; Ethenone; Keto-ethylene; [NIOSH] Ketoethylene; [ICSC]

Category

Other Toxic Gases & Vapors

Description

Colorless gas with a penetrating odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used in the synthesis of acetic anhydride and other organic chemicals; [ACGIH] Polymerizes readily and cannot be stored. Obtained from diketene; [CAMEO]

Comments

TLV Basis is pulmonary edema, lung damage, and eye irritation. Animal studies show that ketene is an inhalation irritant with toxicity similar to that of phosgene. [ACGIH] A severe irritant of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; [CAMEO] Reacts violently with water producing acetic acid; A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation may cause pulmonary edema; Chronic or repeated exposure may cause emphysema and fibrosis; [ICSC] Causes acute pulmonary edema, other changes in lungs, thorax, or respiration, convulsions, and dyspnea in lethal-concentration inhalation studies of rodents; [RTECS]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

0.05 ppm

0.5 ppm

5 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been stated that 5 ppm is the lowest concentration productive of a clinically relevant physiologic response [Stokinger 1960].

LCLo (mouse) = 23 ppm/30min

Reference Link #2

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic