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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: 2-Butanone peroxide; Methylethylketone peroxide; MEKP; MEK Peroxide

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1750

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 1338-23-4

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: EL9450000

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

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide: 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)

Not established

 

 

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

0.2 ppm
(1.5 mg/m3)
Ceiling

HE3

Lung, liver, and kidney damage

HE14

Eye and skin irritation

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

0.2 ppm
(1.5 mg/m3)
Ceiling

HE3

Liver and kidney effects

HE14

Skin and eye irritation

CAL/OSHA PEL

0.2 ppm
(1.5 mg/m3) Ceiling

HE3

Liver and kidney effects

HE14

Skin and eye 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: Not listed

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: Not established

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

  1. Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) peroxide is combustible and gives off irritating and toxic fumes when ignited (NIOSH/IPCS 2005).
  2. MEK peroxide can be absorbed through the skin and can cause hemolytic anemia (Lefaux 1968).
  3. MEK peroxide may cause allergic contact dermatitis (Minamoto et al. 2002).

 Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxidase. 2001.
  • Lefaux, R.: Practical Toxicology of Plastics. Cleveland: CRC Press Inc., p. 145, 1968.
  • Minamoto, K., Nagano, M., Inaoka, T., Futatsuka, M.: Allergic contact dermatitis due to methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, cobalt naphthenate and acrylates in the manufacture of fiberglass-reinforced plastics. Contact Dermatitis. 46(1):58-9, Jan 2002.
  • NIOSH: Recommendations for Occupational Safety and Health - Compendium of Policy Documents and Statements. 2008.
  • NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide. October 19, 2005.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

  • sampling media: XAD-4 Tube (80/40 mg sections)
    analytical solvent: Isopropanol
    minimum time: 15 Minutes
    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min (Ceiling)
    current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UL54.
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 77)
    sampling and analytical error: 0.12
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: Samples must be frozen immediately after collection. Ship frozen overnight and keep frozen until analysis.

Conditions: Column: Mobile Phase: Detector Wavelength: Detection Limit:

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