United States
E nvironmental Prelection
Agency
EPA M9 F 94 016
December 1994
Office of Pollution Prevention and Tones (7401)
oEFA Chemicals in the
Environment
METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE
(CAS NO. 108101)
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Chemicals can be released lo the envi-
ronment as a result of their manufacture.
processing, and use The EPA has devel-
oped information summaries on selected
chemicals to describe how you might be
exposed lo these chemicals, how exposure
lo 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 ISOBUTYL
KETONE, HOW IS IT USED, AND
HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED?
Methyl isobulyl ketonc (also
called MIBK or hcxone) is a colorless,
flammable liquid it occurs naturally in
certain foods and beverages. It is produced
in large amounts (an estimated 160 million
pounds in 1992) by three companies in the
United States US demand for MIBK is
likely to decrease gradually until makers of
protective surface coatings begin using
other substances. Once companies make
this change, US demand for MIBK is likely
to fall more rapidly The largest users of
MIBK are companies that add it to pro-
tective surface coatings Other companies
add MIBK to adhesivcs, printing ink, and
special lubhcating oils. Companies also
use MIBK lo make pesticides and to
separate and purify several other organic
and inorganic chemicals Drug companies
use MIBK to extract and purify antibiotics
and other drugs Companies that make
textiles and leather also use MIBK
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Exposure lo MIBK can occur in ihe
workplace or m (he environment following
releases to air, water, land, or groundvvatcr
Exposure can also occur when people use
certain paints, varnishes, or glues Methyl
isobulyl kelonc enters the body when breathed
in with contaminated air or when consumed
with contaminated food or water It is also
absorbed through skin contact It is not likely to
remain in the body due to its breakdown and
removal in exhaled air and in urine.
WHAT HAPPENS TO METHYL
ISOBUTYL KETONE IN THE
ENVIRONMENT?
Methyl isobutyl kctonc evaporates
when exposed to air It dissolves when mixed
with water Most direct releases of MIBK to
the environment arc to air MIBK also
evaporates from water and soil exposed to air
Once in air, MIBK breaks down to other
chemicals. Microorganisms that live in water
and in soil can also break down MIBK Be-
cause it is a liquid that docs not bind well lo
soil, MIBK that makes its way into the ground
can move through the ground and enter
groundwater Plants and animals are not likely
lo store methyl isobutyl kctone
HOW DOES METHYL ISOBUTYL
KETONE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH
AND THE ENVIRONMENT?
Effects of methyl isobutyl kctonc on
human health and the environment depend on
how much MIBK 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 MIBK for short pe-
riods of lime, such as when painting in
a poorly vented area, can advcrscl>
affect (he nervous system [fleets
range from headaches, di/./.mcss, nau-
sea, and numbness in fingers and Iocs to
unconsciousness and death MIBK
vapor irritates the eyes, the nose, and
the throat Direct, prolonged contact
with liquid methyl isobutyl ketone ir-
ritates the skin. MIBK liquid also ir-
ritates the eyes. These effects arc not
expected to occur at levels of MIBK
that are normally found in the envi-
ronment.
Human health effects associ-
ated with breathing or otherwise con-
suming smaller amounts of MIBK over
long periods of lime are not known
Workers have developed nausea,
headaches, weakness, and adverse liver
effects as a result of repeated exposure
to MIBK Laboratory studies show that
breathing large amounts of methyl
isobutyl ketone during pregnancy
causes adverse effects in the developing
fetus of animals Studies also show that
repeat exposure to large amounts of
MIBK in air causes kidney and liver
damage in animals
Methyl isobulyl ketone by it-
self is not likely to cause environmental
harm at levels normally found in the
environment MIBK can contribute to
the formation of photochemical smog
when it reacts with other volatile or-
ganic carbon substances in air
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WHAT EPA PROGRAM OFFICES REGULATE METHYL UOBUTYL KJCTONE, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS IS IT RFGULATED?
EPA OFFICE LAW PHONE NUMBER
Pollution Prevention & Toxics Toxic Substances Control Act (202)554-1404
Emergency Pluming »nd Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulations (§ 313) (800)535-0202
Toxics Release Inventory data (202) 260-1531
Air Clean Air Act (919)541-0888
Solid Waste & Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) (800)535-0202
Emergency Response Re»ource Conservation and Recovery Act/EPCRA(§ 304/311/312)
A technical support document is available from the TSCA Assistance Information Service, (202) 554-1404.
AT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE?
AGENCY/GROUP PHONE NUMBER
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (404) 639-6000
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (513) 742-2020
Consumer Product Safety Commission (301) 504-0994
Food and Drug Administration (301)443-3170
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (EnviroHealth Clearinghouse) (800) 643-4794
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Hearth (NIOSH) (800) 3 56-4674
Occupational Safety and Hearth Administration (Check your local phone book under U.S. Department of Labor)
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