4-methylpentan-2-one

Exposure related observations in humans: other data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

exposure-related observations in humans: other data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment but without detailed documentations

Data source

Reference

Reference 1

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Further studies on sensory response to certain industrial solvent vapors

Author:

Silverman L, Schulte HF, First MW

Year:

1946

Bibliographic source:

J Ind Hyg Toxicol., 28: 262-266

Reference 2

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Sensory Response to Certain Industrial Solvent Vapor

Author:

Nelson KW, Ege JF, Ross M, Woodman LE and Silverman L

Year:

1943

Bibliographic source:

J Ind Hyg Toxicol., 25, 282-285

Materials and methods

Endpoint addressed:

eye irritation

respiratory irritation

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Exposure of 12 male and 12 female test persons to methyl isobutyl ketone vapour in a concentration of 200 ppm (approximates the saturation concentration at 25°C) for 15 minutes.

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

Details on test material:

Technical grade solvent supplied by the Shell Development Company, Emeryville, California

Method

Ethical approval:

not specified

Exposure assessment:

not specified

Details on exposure:

The experimental procedure was similar to that described by Nelson et al., (1943). An average number of twelve subjects of both sexes were used for each solvent exposure. The procedure used previously was modified as follows: 1) The time of exposure was increased to fifteen minutes. This period permitted more accurate observation of olfactory fatigue and a better appraisal of increasing or decreasing irritation of mucous membranes. 2) During the 15 minute exposure period, motion pictures were shown te occupy the subjects' attention and divert their thoughts from the atmospheric contamination to which they were expose.

Results and discussion

Results:

A majority of subjects found MIBK irritating to the eyes at 200 ppm with nose and throat irritation experienced at higher concentrations.The odor was objectionable at this concentration.

Any other information on results incl. tables

SENSORY LIMITS OBTAINED ON SOLVENT VAPORS

Solvent	Highest concentration which majority of subjects estimated satisfactory for 8-hour exposure ppm	Concentration of vapour which irritated majority of subjects			Suggested maximum allowable concentrations ppm
		Eyes ppm	Nose ppm	Throat ppm
Methyl isobutyl ketone	100	200	>200	>200	200

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

Silverman et al. (1946) exposed 12 human subjects to various concentrations of MIBK for 15 min while diverting their thoughts from the exposure by showing them a movie; however, no sham exposure was done. MIBK exposures at concentrations higher than 200 ppm produced nose or throat irritation in the majority of the subjects. An exposure at 200 ppm resulted in eye irritation and an objectionable odor in the majority of the subjects. Most of the subjects estimated that an exposure at 100 ppm would be tolerable for 8 h.