National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Ethyl butyl ketone: Health effects

Description

Ethyl butyl ketone can effect you if breathed in and by passing through the skin. The effects of high concentrations may be headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, and unconsciousness. Ethyl butyl ketone vapours irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. Prolonged contact with the skin will cause irritation, dryness and cracking.

Entering the body

Methyl ethyl butyl 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 ethyl butyl ketone are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to ethyl butyl ketone by exposure to air from production and processing facilities. Consumers may also be exposed to ethyl butyl ketone when using consumer products containing ethyl butyl ketone.

Health guidelines

According to Worksafe Australia:
For ethyl butyl ketone, it is allowable for workers to be exposed to concentrations of 50 parts per million over an eight hour workshift.

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist