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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: alpha-Acetophenone; Acetylbenzene; 1-Phenylethanone; Phenyl methyl ketone

OSHA IMIS Code Number: A169

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 98-86-2

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: AM5250000

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:
    colorless liquid or white crystals, with characteristic odor
    molecular formula: C8H8O
    molecular weight: 120.15
    boiling point: 202°C
    vapor pressure: 0.133 kPa @ 15°C
    melting point: 20°C
Exposure Limits

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 10 ppm, 49 mg/m3 TWA

Health Factors

Potential Symptoms: Eye irritation; headache, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness; dry skin, burning sensation, rash; INGES ACUTE: Nausea; SKIN ABS

Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15); Narcosis (HE8)

Affected Organs: Eyes, skin, CNS

Notes:
  1. OSHA does not have a PEL for acetophenone.
  2. Acetophenone is permitted by the FDA for direct addition to food as a flavoring substance or adjuvant (21 CFR 172.515).
  3. EPA's oral reference dose (daily oral exposure likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime) is 0.4 mg/kg/day.
  4. Acetophenone has not been tested for carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, or for reproductive toxicity.
  5. Early in the 20th century, acetophenone was sold as the sedative-hypnotic drug, Hypnon (1-oz. vial, $1.20).
Date Last Revised: 02/11/2005

Literature Basis:
  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Acetophenone.
  • U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Acetophenone (CASRN 98-86-2).
  • Eberde, E.G. (editor) Drugs and chemicals general price list. The Southern Pharmaceutical Journal 5(4): 1-7, 1912.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor) Acetophenone. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 44-45.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: Tenax GC Tube (30/15 mg sections)
    analytical solvent: (95:5) Carbon Disulfide: Isopropanol
    maximum volume: 12 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA PV2003)
    method classification: Partially Validated

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