Methyl isobutyl ketone
Description
Methyl isobutyl ketone is used as a solvent for manufacturing: paints, rubbers, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and machinery. It is used in the semiconductor industry and the fragrance and flavor industry. It is used as a dry cleaning agent. It has been used as a pesticide. Methyl isobutyl ketone is also used in uranium extraction.
Substance details
Substance name: Methyl isobutyl ketone
CASR number: 108-10-1
Molecular formula: C6H12O
Synonyms: Hexone; 4-Methyl-2-pentanone; Isobutyl methyl ketone; MIBK; 4-Methylpentan-2-one; MIK; 2-methyl-4-pentanone; Isohexanone
Physical properties
Methyl isobutyl ketone is a colourless liquid with a faint odour like camphor.
Melting Point: -84.7°C
Boiling Point: 117.4°C
Vapour Density: 3.5
Specific Gravity: 0.7978
Flashpoint: 17°C
Chemical properties
Methyl isobutyl ketone is a flammable liquid. It is partially soluble in water.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of methyl isobutyl ketone emissions in Australia.
Description
Breathing methyl isobutyl ketone for short periods of time (i.e. painting in a poorly ventilated area) can affect the nervous system. The effects may be headaches, dizziness, narcosis (acts like a narcotic), nausea, numbness in the fingers and toes, and (if the exposure is prolonged) unconsciousness, and even death. Methyl isobutyl ketone vapour irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. Prolonged contact with the skin will cause irritation.
Entering the body
Methyl isobutyl ketone will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, or consume food or water that has been contaminated. It can also pass through the skin.
Exposure
Workers in the industries that use or produce methyl isobutyl ketone are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to methyl isobutyl ketone by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using methyl isobutyl ketone. Consumers may also be exposed to methyl isobutyl ketone when using consumer products containing methyl isobutyl ketone, especially if there is not good ventilation. Because methyl isobutyl ketone is used in many consumer products , short-term indoor concentrations may be elevated above the levels considered safe for workers.
Workplace exposure standards
Safe Work Australia sets the workplace exposure standard for methyl isobutyl ketone through the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants:
- Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 50 parts per million (205 mg/m3)
- Maximum short term exposure limit (STEL): 75 parts per million (307 mg/m3)
These standards are only appropriate for use in workplaces and are not limited to any specific industry or operation. Make sure you understand how to interpret the standards before you use them.
Drinking water guidelines
There is no guideline for methyl isobutyl ketone in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Description
It has slight acute (short-term) toxicity on aquatic life and high toxicity to birds. It has slight chronic (long-term) toxicity to aquatic life. Chronic and acute effects on plants or land animals have not been determined. Methyl isobutyl ketone is not expected to bioaccumulate.
Entering the environment
Industrial emissions of methyl isobutyl ketone can produce elevated, but still low level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Because of its short life expectancy in the atmosphere methyl isobutyl ketone is expected to be confined to the local area within which it is emitted. Since it does not bind to soil well, methyl isobutyl ketone that makes its way into the ground may move through the ground and enter groundwater (bore water).
Where it ends up
Methyl isobutyl ketone quickly evaporates to a gas if released as a liquid. It dissolves when mixed with water. It evaporates from both water and soil when exposed to air. It will quickly break down in the air into acetone, formaldehyde, and 2-methylpropanal. In the soil and water bacteria will break it down.
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
Industry sources
The primary sources of methyl isobutyl ketone are the industries that manufacture it or use it in production. Some of the industries that use it in production are chemical industry, rubber manufacturers, pharmaceutical industry, the semiconductor industry, manufacturers of millwork, veneer and plywood and the manufacturers of paints, varnishes and lacquers.
Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data
Other possible emitters of methyl isobutyl ketone are commercial and household painting and paint, varnish and lacquer removal, dry cleaners and consumer products containing methyl isobutyl ketone.
Natural sources
Methyl isobutyl ketone is found in oranges, grapes, and in vinegar.
Transport sources
There are no known sources of mobile emissions of methyl isobutyl ketone.
Consumer products
Aerosol paints, architectural coatings, automobile and machinery paints and primers, household hard surface cleaners, household dyes and tints, Insecticides for yard and garden, laundry starches, lubricating greases and oils, automotive chemicals, paints, varnish and paint and varnish removers and thinners, pet flea and tick products, shoe polish, interior clear finishes, undercoats, and primers, and wood office furniture.
Sources used in preparing this information
- Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) (1992) Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters
- CalEPA Air Resources Board Toxic Air Contaminant Summary Methyl isobutyl ketone (accessed, May, 1999)
- ChemFinder WebServer Project (1995), Methyl isobutyl ketone (accessed, May, 1999)
- Cornell University, Planning Design and Construction, MSDS, Methyl isobutyl ketone (accessed, May, 1999)
- Environmental Defense Fund (1998), Methyl isobutyl ketone: The Chemical Scorecard: (accessed, May, 1999)
- National Environment Protection Council (1998a), National Environment Protection Measure for the National Pollutant Inventory (accessed, May, 1999)
- New Jersey Department of Health, Right to Know Program (1986), TRIFacts, Methyl isobutyl ketone (accessed, May, 1999)
- NTP Chemical Repository, Radian Corporation, Methyl isobutyl ketone (AUGUST 29, 1991) (accessed, May, 1999)
- Technical Advisory Panel (1999), Final Report to the National Environment Protection Council.
- The Good Scents Company, TGSC Perfumery Raw Materials of Isobutyl methyl ketone (May, 1999) (accessed, May, 1999)
- US Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (May, 1998), Unified Air Toxics Website, Methyl isobutyl ketone (accessed, May, 1999)
- US Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Pollution Prevention and toxics, (September, 1994), chemicals in the environment: Methyl isobutyl ketone (accessed, May, 1999)
- Safe Work Australia, Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, accessed December 2018.
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011) - Updated October 2017, accessed May 2018