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)

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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

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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

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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.

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WHAT EPA raocBAM omen BECOLAR METHYL ETBYL KETOME, AMD
                                                     WMAT LAW! • IT UCCLATXD?
    EPAOmCE
    Pollution Prevention i Toxici
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                      Toxic SubrtaocM Control Act
                      EmerfMcy PUaDinf and C^mminity RiglMo-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulation* (§313)
                        Toxic* Release Inventory data
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                      CompntMnarv* EnvironmaJal Ropcon,
                                                                 •MlioB, md Lubiiity Act (Saperfnad)
    Wi

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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)
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