1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. 2-HEXANONE (METHYL N-BUTYL KETONE; METHYL BUTYL KETONE)
Label abbreviations descriptions

2-HEXANONE (METHYL N-BUTYL KETONE; METHYL BUTYL KETONE)†

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 591-78-6
Formula

C₆H₁₂O
Synonyms

butyl methyl ketone; MBK; methyl butyl ketone; methyl n-butyl ketone
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description Colorless liquid with an acetone-like odor.
Boiling point 262°F Molecular weight 100.2
Freezing point/melting point -71°F Vapor pressure 11 mmHg
Flash point 73°F Vapor density 3.45
Specific gravity 0.812 Ionization potential 9.34 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL) 1.2% Upper explosive limit (UEL) 8%
NFPA health rating 2 NFPA fire rating 3
NFPA reactivity rating 0 NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.) 1690
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media CSC tube (100/50 mg) [SKC 226-01]
Sampling time*
Sampling volume (TWA)*

20 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*

0.2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*
Analytical method instruments GC-FID
Method reference OSHA PV2031 (partially validated)
Notes
Special requirements

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions)
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA

100 ppm (410 mg/m³)

 REL-TWA
 

1 ppm (4 mg/m³)

 TLV-TWA
 

5 ppm [1995]

 PEL-TWA
 

1 ppm (4 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL REL-STEL
 

 

 TLV-STEL
 

10 ppm [1995]

 PEL-STEL
 

10 ppm (40 mg/m³)
PEL-C REL-C
 

 

 TLV-C
 

 

 PEL-C
 

 
Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

Y

 Skin notation
 

Y
Notes:
 

See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.

 Notes:
 

 

 Notes:
 

BEI®

 Notes:
 

 
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH
 

1600 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: EPA-1 Notes:
 

 
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:
 

 
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Methyl butyl ketone

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - 2-Hexanone

Literature References

 
  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Methyl n-butyl ketone. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • Bolt, H.M., Roos, P.H. and Thier, R.: The cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme CYP2E1 in the biological processing of industrial chemicals: consequences for occupational and environmental medicine. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 76(3): 174-185, 2003.
  • Bos, P.M.J., de Mik, G. and Bragt, P.C.: Critical review of the toxicity of methyl n-butyl ketone: risk from occupational exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 20(2): 175-194, 1991.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Methyl n-Butyl 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. 1535-1538.
  • Zhu, M., Spink, D.C., Yan, B., Bank, S. and DeCaprio A.P.: Inhibition of 2,5-hexanedione-induced protein cross-linking by biological thiols: chemical mechanisms and toxicological implications. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 8(5): 764-771, 1995.

Last Updated Date : 01/28/2021