Toxicity Profiles

RAGs A Format for Acetone - CAS Number 67641

Acetone is a clear, colorless, highly flammable liquid. It is completely miscible in water and soluble in organics such as benzene and ethanol. Acetone is used primarily as a solvent and chemical intermediate, and it is also found in some consumer products such as nail polish remover. Acetone may be released into the environment as stack emissions and/or fugitive emissions and in waste water effluents from facilities involved in its production and use as a chemical intermediate and solvent. Acetone is also a natural metabolic byproduct found in and released from plants and animals. Much of the acetone released into the environment will volatilize into the atmosphere where it will be subject to photo-oxidation (average half-life is 22 days). Volatilization from surface waters is moderately rapid (estimated half-life about 20 hours from a model river). If released onto the ground, acetone will both volatilize and leach into the soil and relatively little will be adsorbed to soil particles. Acetone has been detected in groundwater and drinking water.

Acetone can be absorbed through the lungs, digestive tract, and the skin. Dermal uptake may occur following prolonged contact with the undiluted liquid. Information on gastrointestinal absorption rates was not found in the available literature. It is rapidly transported throughout the body and is not preferentially stored in any body tissue. The liver is the major organ of acetone metabolism, and excretion occurs mainly through the lungs and in the urine. Acute toxic effects following ingestion of 50 mL or more may include ataxia, sedation, and coma; respiratory depression; gastrointestinal disorders (vomiting and hematemesis); hyperglycemia and ketonemia; acidosis; and hepatic and renal lesions. Typical symptoms of inhalation exposure are central nervous system depression and irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat. Central nervous system effects can range from subtle neurobehavioral changes to narcosis depending on the magnitude and length of exposure. The available data indicate that individuals occupationally exposed to acetone may exhibit transient symptoms of toxicity; however, there is little evidence of permanent systemic damage even after many years of exposure.

No evidence is available that suggests acetone is carcinogenic in humans. Acetone is classified by EPA in weight-of-evidence Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.

The following is a presentation of the toxicity information associated with Acetone:

• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is 9.00E-01 (mg/kg-day).
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has a modifying factor of 1.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has an uncertainty factor of 1000.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is based on the Dietz, et. al. 1991.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study target organ is liver.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study critical effect is nephropathy.
• The overall confidence in the Oral Chronic Reference Dose is medium.

• The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is 7.47E-01 (mg/kg-day).
• The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is based on a gastrointestinal absorption factor of 0.8300.