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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Dimethyl ketone; Ketone propane; 2-Propanone

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0040

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 67-64-1

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: AL3150000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1090 127

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Acetone: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more


Exposure Limits and Health Effects

Exposure Limit

Limit Values

HE Codes

Health Factors and Target Organs

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - General Industry
See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1

1,000 ppm
(2,400 mg/m3) TWA

HE16

Slight eye, nose, and respiratory irritation

OSHA PEL - Construction Industry
See 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A

1,000 ppm
(2,400 mg/m3) TWA

HE16

Slight eye, nose, and respiratory irritation

OSHA PEL - Shipyard Employment
See 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards

1,000 ppm
(2,400 mg/m3) TWA

HE16

Slight eye, nose, and respiratory irritation

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

250 ppm
(590 mg/m3) TWA

HE16

Eye, skin, and respiratory irritation

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (2001)

500 ppm
(1,188 mg/m3) TWA

750 ppm
(1,782 mg/m3) STEL

A4; BEI

HE7

Headache, dizziness, light-headedness, weakness, incoordination, sleepiness
Target organs: brain, central nervous system

HE8

Narcosis

HE12

Hematologic effects

HE16

Eye, skin, and respiratory irritation

CAL/OSHA PELs

500 ppm
(1,200 mg/m3) TWA

3,000 ppm Ceiling

750 ppm
(1,780 mg/m3) STEL

HE16

Eye and respiratory irritation

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Data is inadequate for an assessment of human carcinogenic potential

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs): 26 ppm (acute); 13 ppm (intermediate); 13 ppm (chronic)

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: 2,500 ppm (10% LEL)

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

  1. Vapor/air mixtures of acetone may be explosive (NIOSH/IPCS 1994).
  2. EPA's oral reference dose (daily oral exposure likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime) for acetone is 0.9 mg/kg/day based on kidney effects (EPA 2003; Dietz et al. 1991). Data were considered insufficient to recommend a reference concentration (EPA 2003).
  3. Occupational exposures of acetone may be high enough to produce ketosis in some workers (ATSDR 1994).
  4. Odor and irritation thresholds may be substantially higher in acetone-exposed employees compared to those not exposed, due to sensory adaptation (Wysocki et al. 1997).

Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Acetone. 2001.
  • ATSDR: Toxicological Profile for Acetone [4 MB PDF, 276 pages]. May 1994.
  • California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board Initial [70 KB PDF, 11 pages] and Final [123 KB PDF, 10 pages] Statement of Reasons. July 6, 2006.
  • Dietz, DD, Leininger, JR, Rauckman, EJ, et al.: Toxicity studies of acetone administered in the drinking water of rodents. Fund. Appl. Toxicol. 17:347-360, 1991.
  • EPA: Integrated Risk Information System - Acetone (CASRN 67-64-1). 2003.
  • NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Ketones. June 1978.
  • NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Acetone. 1988.
  • NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Acetone. April 22, 1994.
  • Wysocki, C.J., Dalton, P., Brody, M.J. and Lawley, H.J.: Acetone odor and irritation thresholds obtained from acetone-exposed factory workers and from control (occupationally unexposed) subjects. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 58(10): 704-711, 1997.

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • sampling media: Carbosieve S-III Tube (130/65mg sections,60/80 mesh)
    analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
    maximum volume: 3 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/NPD
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 69)
    method classification: Fully Validated

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