4-methylpentan-2-one

Health surveillance data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

health surveillance data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Data source

Reference

Reference 1

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Rilievi clinici ed ematochimici in operai esposti all'azione di un chetone superiore (MIBK) ripetuti a distanza di 5 anni

Author:

Armeli G, Linari F and Martorano G

Year:

1968

Bibliographic source:

Lavoro Umano, 20, 418-424

Reference 2

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Rilievi clinici ed ematochimici in operai esposti all'azione di un chetone superiore: metil-iosbutil-chetone

Author:

Linari F, Perelli G and Varese D

Year:

1964

Bibliographic source:

Arch. Sci. -Med., 226-239

Materials and methods

Study type:

health record from industry

Endpoint addressed:

acute toxicity: inhalation

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

4-methylpentan-2-one

EC Number:

203-550-1

EC Name:

4-methylpentan-2-one

Cas Number:

108-10-1

Molecular formula:

C6H12O

IUPAC Name:

4-methylpentan-2-one

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Results and discussion

Results:

Workers near a centrifuge were exposed up to 500 ppm of MIBK for 20-30 min/d. Elsewhere in the room the level was 80 ppm. Over half of the 19 workers complained of weakness, loss of appetite, headache, burning in the eyes, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and sore throat. Insomnia, somnolence, heartburn, intestinal pain and some unsteadiness were experienced by a few of the workers. Four had slightly enlarged livers and six had complaints indicative of a nonspecific form of colitis. Clinical chemistry tests on all the workers were normal.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

Workers near a centrifuge were exposed up to 500 ppm of MIBK for 20-30 min/d. Elsewhere in the room the level was 80 ppm. Over half of the 19 workers complained of weakness, loss of appetite, headache, burning in the eyes, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and sore throat. Insomnia, somnolence, heartburn, intestinal pain and some unsteadiness were experienced by a few of the workers. Four had slightly enlarged livers and six had complaints indicative of a nonspecific form of colitis. Clinical chemistry tests on all the workers were normal. The wearing of respiratory for the centrifuging process reduced MIBK exposure considerably. Five years later it was found that work practices had greatly improved and that the MIBK concentration near the centrifuge was 100-105 ppm and elsewhere in the room was 50 ppm. Workers were required to wear respiratory protection but a few still complained of gastrointestinal and central nervous system effects. Slight liver enlargement had persisted in two workers, but earlier symptoms had disappeared.