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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Isoamyl methyl ketone; Isopentyl methyl ketone; 2-Methyl-5-hexanone; 5-Methyl-2-hexanone; MIAK

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1776

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 110-12-3

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: MP3850000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2302 127

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Methyl Isoamyl Ketone: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):

General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 - 100 ppm, 475 mg/m3 TWA

Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A - 100 ppm, 475 mg/m3 TWA

Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards - 100 ppm, 475 mg/m3 TWA

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 50 ppm, 234 mg/m3 TWA

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 50 ppm, 240 mg/m3 TWA

Health Factors

Potential Symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes; cough, sore throat, labored breathing; headache; dizziness, drowsiness, narcosis, coma; dry skin, dermatitis; in animals: liver, kidney damage

Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14); Narcosis (HE8)

Affected Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS, liver, kidneys

Notes:

  1. Above 36ºC, explosive vapor/air mixtures may be formed.
  2. The concentration of methyl isoamyl ketone causing a 50% decrease in the respiratory rate of mice (a measure of sensory irritation) was reported to be 1222 ppm.
  3. Toxicity studies in rats exposed to methyl isoamyl ketone by inhalation 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for a total 69 exposures reported a NOAEL of 200 ppm.
  4. Following inhalation of 1950 ppm by rats for 6 hours, the elimination half-life of methyl isoamyl ketone in blood was 0.7 hr.

Literature Basis:

  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Methyl Isoamyl Ketone.
  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Methyl isoamyl ketone.
  • De Ceaurriz, J., Micillino, J.C., Marignac, B., Bonnet, P., Muller, J. and Guenier, J.P.: Quantitative evaluation of sensory irritating and neurobehavioral properties of aliphatic ketones in mice. Food Chem. Toxicol. 22(7): 545-549, 1984.
  • Katz, G.V., Renner, E.R., Jr. and Terhaar, C.J.: Subchronic inhalation toxicity of methyl isoamyl ketone in rats. Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 6(3): 498-505, 1986.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Methyl Isoamyl 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. 1578-1580.

Date Last Revised: 06/28/2006

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

  • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
    analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethyl Formamide
    maximum volume: 10 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC-FID
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA PV2042)
    method classification: Partially Validated

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