Methyl ethyl ketone: Health effects
Description
Breathing methyl ethyl 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, fatigue, narcosis (acts like a narcotic), nausea, vomiting, and cause you to pass out. Methyl ethyl ketone vapour irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. Prolonged contact with the skin will cause irritation. Contact with the eyes can permanently damage them. Repeated exposure may damage the nervous system and may affect the brain.
Entering the body
Methyl ethyl 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 ethyl ketone are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to methyl ethyl ketone by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using methyl ethyl ketone, or drinking water from contaminated bores. Consumers may also be exposed to methyl ethyl ketone when using consumer products containing methyl ethyl ketone, especially if there is not good ventilation, or by skin contact. Smoking tobacco products and sniffing glues are also ways to be exposed to methyl ethyl ketone.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
For methyl ethyl ketone, it is allowable for workers to be exposed to concentrations of 150 parts per million over an eight hour workshift, with concentrations not greater than 300 parts per million.
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