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Chemical Sampling Information |
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| Hexone |
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General Description
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 100 ppm, 410 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 100 ppm, 410 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 100 ppm, 410 mg/m3 TWA
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 50 ppm, 205 mg/m3 TWA; 75 ppm, 307 mg/m3 STEL; BEI (TLV listed under Methyl isobutyl ketone)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 50 ppm, 205 mg/m3 TWA, 75 ppm, 300 mg/m3 STEL
Health Factors
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 500 ppm
Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membrane; headache, dizziness; cough, sore throat; loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; weakness, narcosis, coma; dermatitis; chemical pneumonitis (from aspiration of liquid); in animals: liver, kidney damage
Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Mild (HE16); Narcosis (HE8); Potentially permanent deficits in working memory (HE7); Explosive, flammable (HE18).
Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS, liver, kidneys
Notes:
- Vapor/air mixtures may be explosive.
- Listed among FDA’s “food additives permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption” (21 CFR 172.515).
- EPA’s reference concentration (inhalation concentration likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime) of hexone is 3 mg/m3.
- The terminal half-lives of hexone following a 2-hour exposure to 100 or 200 mg/m3 in volunteers were 59 and 74 minutes, respectively.
- Although only a small fraction of the hexone absorbed by the lungs is excreted into urine (~0.12%), the measurement of hexone in urine has been recommended as a biological marker for occupational exposure.
- One case study with six follow-up exams over a period of 10 years reported a lasting impairment of working memory in a 44-year-old worker with a history of hexone exposure to 100 ppm, with daily excursions to higher (unknown) levels for six years. A coworker also showed memory deficits.
- Neurotoxicity studies in hens indicated a potentiation of the ataxic and paralyzing effects of n-hexane by hexone, which likely acted by inducing enzymes that bioactivate n-hexane to the neurotoxic metabolite 2,5-hexanedione.
Date Last Revised: 03/02/2006
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Hexone.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Methyl isobutyl ketone.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Toxicological review of methyl isobutyl ketone (CAS No. 108-10-1) [569 KB PDF]. EPA/635/R-03/002 (March 2003).
- Abou-Donia, M.B., Lapadula, D.M., Campbell, G. and Timmons, P.R.: The synergism of n-hexane-induced neurotoxicity by methyl isobutyl ketone following subchronic (90 days) inhalation in hens: induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 81(1): 1-16, 1985.
- Grober, E. and Schaumburg, H.H.: Occupational exposure to methyl isobutyl ketone causes lasting impairment in working memory. Neurology 54(9): 1853-1855, 2000.
- Hjelm, E.W., Hagberg, M., Iregren, A. and Lof, A.: Exposure to methyl isobutyl ketone: toxicokinetics and occurrence of irritative and CNS symptoms in man. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 62(1): 19-26, 1990.
- Kawai, T., et al.: Methyl isobutyl ketone and methyl ethyl ketone in urine as biological markers of occupational exposure to these solvents at low levels. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 76(1): 17-23, 2003.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Methyl Isobutyl Ketone. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1581-1583.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Anasorb CMS
analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:N,N-Dimethylformamide
maximum volume: 12 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1004)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Diffusive Sampler:
- SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler; or
- 3M 3520 Organic Vapor Monitor
analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:N,N-Dimethylformamide
sampling time: 5 to 240 Minutes
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1004)
method classification: Fully Validated
note: Persons using diffusive samplers to monitor workplace air must ensure that the sampling devices are properly closed before transporting such devices to the laboratory for analysis. The device will continue to sample until properly closed. Diffusive sampler accessories used for analysis of samplers must be included with transported samples. Persons using such devices must provide sampling-site station barometric pressure and temperature to the analytical laboratory to improve accuracy of sampling results.
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sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
alternate analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
alternate analytical solvent: (95:5) Methylene Chloride:Methanol
maximum volume: 10 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (TWA)
maximum volume: 3 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (STEL)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 1300) [27 KB PDF]
method classification: Fully Validated
note: Ship cold.
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