UriM SMn EPA 749 F 94 015 Environmental Protection December 1994 A0*ncy OtCTrfPoiulion Prevention •ndTotica (7 401) AER& Chemicals in the Environment Repository Material Permanent Collection METHYL ETHYL KETONE (CAS NO. 78-83-3) ------- Chemicals can be released to the envi- ronment as a result of their manufacture, processing, and use. The EPA has devel- oped information summaries on selected chemicals 19 describe how you might be exposed to these chemicals, how exposure to them might affect you and the envi- ronment, what happens to them in the environment, who regulates them, and whom to contact for additional informa- tion. EPA is committed to reducing envi- ronmental releases of chemicals through source reduction and other practices that reduce creation of pollutants WHAT IS METHYL ETHYL KETONE, HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED? i , Methyl ethyl kctonc (also called MEK and 2-butanone) is a colorless, flammable liquid. It occurs naturally in certain foods and beverages. It is produced in large amounts (estimated to be 500 mil- lion pounds in 1992) by three companies in the United States. US demand for MEK is likely to decrease gradually until makers of protective surface coatings begin using other substances. Once companies make this change, US demand for MEK is likely to fall more rapidly. The largest users of MEK are companies that add it to protec- tive surface coatings. Other companies add MEK to adhesives, printing inks, paint removers, and special lubricating oils. Companies also use MEK to make other chemicals, including those used as drugs and cosmetics. Small amounts of MEK are used to sterilize surgical instruments, hy- podermic needles, syringes, and denial instruments.1 It is also used to extract ------- vegetable oil. Exposure to MEK can occur in the workplace or in the environment following releases to air, water, land, or groundwater. Exposure can also occur when people use certain paints, paint removers, or adhcsives. Methyl ethyl ketone enters the body when breathed in with contaminated air or when consumed with contaminated food or water. It can also be absorbed through skin contact. It is not likely to remain in the body due to its breakdown and removal in expired air and in urine. WHAT HAPPENS TO METHYL ETHYL KETONE IN THE ENVIRONMENT? Methyl ethyl ketone evaporates when exposed to air It dissolves when mixed with water. Most direct releases of MEK to the environment are to air. It can also evaporate from water and soil exposed to air. Once in air, MEK breaks down to other chemicals. Micro- organisms that live in water and in soil can also break down MEK. Because it is a liquid that does not bind well to soil, MEK that makes its way into ground can move through the ground and enter groundwater. Plants and animals are not likely to store methyl ethyl ketone. HOW DOES METHYL ETHYL KETONE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT? Effects of methyl ethyl ketone on human health and the environment depend on how much MEK is present and the length and frequency of exposure. Effects also depend on the health of a person or the condition of the ------- environment when exposure occurs. Breathing MEK for short pe- riods of time, such as when painting in a poorly vented area, can adversely affect the nervous system. Effects range from headaches, dizziness, nau- sea, and numbness in fingers and toes to unconsciousness. MEK vapor irritates the eyes, the nose, and the throat. Direct, prolonged contact with liquid methyl ethyl ketone irritates the skin and damages the eyes. These effects are not expected to occur at levels of MEK that are normally found in the envi- ronment. Human health effects associ- ated with breathing or otherwise con- suming smaller amounts of methyl ethyl ketone over long periods of time arc not known. Workers have devel- oped dermatitis, upset stomachs, loss of appetite, headaches, dizziness, and weakness as a result of repeated ex- posure to MEK. Laboratory studies show that exposure to large amounts or MEK in air causes animals to give birth to smaller offspring. Studies also show that repeal exposure to large amounts of MEK in air causes adverse liver and kidney effects in animals. Methyl ethyl ketone by itself is not likely to cause environmental harm at levels normally found in the envi- ronment. MEK can contribute to the formation of photochemical smog when it reacts with other volatile organic carbon substances in air. ------- WHAT EPA raocBAM omen BECOLAR METHYL ETBYL KETOME, AMD WMAT LAW! • IT UCCLATXD? EPAOmCE Pollution Prevention i Toxici •Air Solid WMU* LAW Toxic SubrtaocM Control Act EmerfMcy PUaDinf and C^mminity RiglMo-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulation* (§313) Toxic* Release Inventory data ClMiiAirAot CompntMnarv* EnvironmaJal Ropcon, •MlioB, md Lubiiity Act (Saperfnad) Wi A WHAT or Rcnorn ConMrvrian tad Rwovery Art / EPCRA (| 304^311/312) S«fe Drinking Wifcr Act npport dooontol it railtbb fromth* TSCA Ai •.(202)354.1404. i FEDDUL AdNcm oa cxoon CAN I CONIACT FOB DOORMAHON OK MTTIYL cnvi. KEIONK? ACENCY/GftOOr Agency for Tone Substance* and American Conference of Product Safety Indu«ri«l Hypenutt NuioojJ iMtrtuU for Environmental Health Sciences (EnviroHeahb Clearingboute) National InMitDtc fcr Ooaapttiootl Safety mad He«Mfa (NIOSH) PHONE Nraon (404)639-6000 (313)742-2020 (301)3044994 (301)443-3170 (800)643-4794 (800)356-4674 (Ctedtynorloaml! PHONE NUMBER (202) 334-1404 (800) 333-0202 (202)260-1331 (919)341-0888 (800)3334)202 (800)426-4791 r US. Department of Labor) ------- |