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Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

2-Hexanone

RTECS #

MP1400000

CAS #

591-78-6

Updated

September 201

Molecular Weight

100.18

Molecular Formula

C6H12O

Synonyms

2-Hexanone (OSHA)
Butyl methyl ketone
Hexanone-2
Ketone, butyl methyl
MBK
Methyl n-butyl ketone
Methyl n-butyl ketone (ACGIH:OSHA)
MNBK
n-Butyl methyl ketone
Propylacetone

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /rabbit 500 mg/24H mild85JCAE -,283,1986
skin /rabbit 500 mg/24H mild85JCAE -,283,1986

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction/Saccharomyes cerevisiae48 mmol/LMUREAV 341,83,1994

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat 1000 ppm/6H (1-21D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Gastrointestinal system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Urogenital system		EESADV 5,291,1981
inhalation/rat 2000 ppm/6H (1-21D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Live birth index (Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured after birth)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Growth statistics (e.g., reduced weight gain)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Behavioral		EESADV 5,291,1981
inhalation/rat 2045 mg/m3 (1-22D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Growth statistics (e.g., reduced weight gain)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Behavioral		VCVGK* -,424,1994

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/guinea pig Lowest published lethal concentration: 40000 mg/m3/30MBrain and Coverings: Increased intracranial pressure

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes		VCVGK* -,423,1994
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 4000 mg/m3Olfaction: Other olfaction effects

Eye: Conjunctiva irritation		VCVGK* -,423,1994
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 1000 ppmEye: Other eye effects

Behavioral: Headache

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting		NPIRI* 1,78,1974
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 8000 ppm/4HNPIRI* 1,78,1974
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published lethal dose: 914 mg/kgRalRL# 01MAR1974
oral/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 914 mg/kgRalRL# 01MAR1974
oral/human lowest published lethal dose: 714.3 mg/kgVCVGK* -,423,1994
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2430 mg/kgTOLED5 30,13,1986
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2590 mg/kgAMIHBC 10,61,1954
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1503 mg/kgBlood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Hepatic microsomal mixed oxidase (dealkylation, hydroxylation, etc.)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases		VCVGK* -,423,1994
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4800 mg/kgNPIRI* 1,78,1974
unreported route/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 914 mg/kgRalRL# 01MAR1974
unreported route/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 914 mg/kgRalRL# 01MAR1974

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/cat lowest published toxic concentration: 400 ppm/24H/33D- continuousPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheathNEJMAG 290,1263,1974
inhalation/cat lowest published toxic concentration: 818 mg/m3/5W- continuousPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheathVCVGK* -,424,1994
inhalation/chicken lowest published toxic concentration: 818 mg/m3/4W- continuousPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheathVCVGK* -,424,1994
inhalation/chicken lowest published toxic concentration: 200 ppm/90D- continuousPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Spastic paralysis with/without sensory change

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field		JTEHD6 9,199,1982
inhalation/monkey lowest published toxic concentration: 409 mg/m3/6H/13W- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerveVCVGK* -,424,1994
inhalation/monkey lowest published toxic concentration: 976 ppm/6H/25W- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerveAIHAAP 38,567,1977
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 692 ppm/81D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Behavioral: Muscle weakness

Related to Chronic Data: Changes in testicular weight		TXAPA9 52,153,1980
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 976 ppm/6H/25W- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerve

Behavioral: Alteration of operant conditioning

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain		AIHAAP 38,567,1977
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 1300 ppm/6H/17W- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheath		ARNEAS 32,219,1975
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 400 ppm/24H/42D- continuousPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheathJNENAD 35,207,1976
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 4090 mg/m3/6H/13W- intermittentBehavioral: Alteration of operant conditioningVCVGK* -,424,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 818 mg/m3/11W- continuousPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheathVCVGK* -,424,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 2863 mg/m3/72H- intermittentBehavioral: Muscle weaknessVCVGK* -,423,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 2863 mg/m3/72H- intermittentBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct		VCVGK* -,423,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 4007000 mg/m3/5W- continuousPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerveVCVGK* -,423,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 2045 mg/m3/22D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainVCVGK* -,424,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 409 mg/m3/6H/13W- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerveVCVGK* -,424,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 818 mg/m3/8H/6W- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheath

Behavioral: Muscle weakness		VCVGK* -,424,1994
intraperitoneal/chicken lowest published toxic dose: 3000 mg/kg/30D- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Flaccid paralysis with appropriate anesthesia

Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheath

Behavioral: Ataxia		VCVGK* -,424,1994
oral/guinea pig lowest published toxic dose: 59262 mg/kg/24W- continuousEye: Miosis (pupilliary constriction)

Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Other changes		AIHAAP 39,94,1978
oral/guinea pig lowest published toxic dose: 9520 mg/kg/8W- continuousEye: Miosis (pupilliary constriction)

Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)		VCVGK* -,424,1994
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 59.506 gm/kg/90D- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheath

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct		VCVGK* -,424,1994
subcutaneous/cat lowest published toxic dose: 55500 mg/kg/37W- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Demyelination

Spinal Cord: Other degenerative changes

Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheath		TXAPA9 37,301,1976

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 5 ppm;short term exposure limit 10 ppm (skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWARPTDI 22,145,1982
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,577,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,649,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,689,1995

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 100 ppm (410 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,126,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 5 ppm (21 mg/m3);KZW 20 ppm (84 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 1 ppm (4 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (21 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 10 ppm (42 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), VLE 8 ppm (35 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 5 ppm (21 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 21 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 84 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 1 ppm (4 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), skin, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3) (skin), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 1 ppm (4 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 10 ppm (41 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 10 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 50 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 5 ppm, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 1 ppm (4 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 2 ppm (8 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 5 ppm (21 mg/m3), KZG-week 40 ppm (168 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 2 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 100 ppm (410 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 100 ppm (410 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 5 ppm (21 mg/m3), skin, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (410 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (410 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (410 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (410 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO METHYL BUTYL KETONE-air10H time-weighted average 1 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 37330; Number of Industries 5; Total Number of Facilities 168; Number of Occupations 5; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1122; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 656
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 37330; Number of Industries 76; Total Number of Facilities 5073; Number of Occupations 45; Total Number of Employees Exposed 41624

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/93/110773/AS)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Ketones I, 1300
On EPA IRIS database

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