Acetone: Health effects
Description
When exposed to acetone, the substance enters the blood stream, exposing all internal organs to the substance. After exposure to acetone at low concentrations, the liver is capable of breaking acetone down to non-harmful compounds that are used to make energy for normal body functions.
Exposure to moderate or high levels of acetone can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and lead to headaches, light-headedness, confusion, increased pulse rate, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, unconsciousness and possibly coma, and it may shorten the menstrual cycle in women. The smell and irritation to the respiratory organs is a warning signal to help prevent breathing acetone at much higher concentrations.
Acetone exposure can also result in damage to the skin and swallowing large amounts can damage the gastrointestinal tract. Acetone can damage eyes, making them red and sore, and may result in blurred vision, and/or damage to the cornea.
Kidney, liver and nerve damage, increased birth defects and lowered ability to reproduce (males only) have occurred in animals after long-term exposure. It is unknown if these effects would be seen in people after similar exposures.
Acetone is not considered capable of causing cancer.
Entering the body
Acetone can enter the body by inhaling fumes or by contact with eyes and skin. Tobacco smoke also contains low levels of acetone.
Exposure
Acetone is present in low levels in the environment. Inhalation of acetone at higher levels may occur in the workplace, or from using products that contain acetone (for example, household chemicals, nail polish and paint). Acetone may be consumed by drinking water or eating food that contain this substance, or absorbed by touching products that contain acetone. Children can be exposed by eating soil at landfills or at hazardous sites that contain acetone. Exposure to acetone may result from smoking or inhaling second hand smoke.
Health guidelines
Workplace exposure:
Currently, the eight-hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 1185 milligrams of acetone per cubic metre of air. A 15-minute short term exposure limit (STEL) of 2375 milligrams of acetone per cubic metre of air is recommended.
Drinking water guidelines:
No drinking water guidelines have been established for acetone.
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