Acetone

This text evaluates the risks to human health and to the environment posed by exposure to acetone.

Acetone is widely used as an intermediate in chemical production and as a solvent for resins, paints, inks, varnishes and lacquers and in adhesives, thinners and clean-up products.

The work discusses sources of human and environmental exposure to acetone, covering both natural and anthropogenic sources.

In the mammalian body, studies show that acetone is formed endogenously from fatty acid oxidation, is found as a natural metabolic component in blood, urine and human breath, and is exhaled.

Acetone has been detected in a variety of plants and foods, and is emitted, in vapour form, from several tree species.

It also occurs naturally as a biodegradation product of sewage, solid wastes and alcohols, and as an oxidation of humic substances.

The report identifies the most important sources as wastewater discharges from many industries, leaching from industrial and municipal landfills, and evaporation of acetone solvent from coating products such as paints, cleaners, varnishes and inks. A review of data on environmental behaviour and fate cites evidence from several studies of acetone levels detected in air, water, soil and biological samples.

A discussion of kinetics and metabolism draws on extensive data from absorption and tissue distribution studies, radio-labelled metabolic and kinetic studies, and studies of elimination and excretion.

The report continues with a review of toxicity studies in laboratory animals and "in vitro" test systems, concluding that acetone is only mildly toxic to the liver.

Some adverse effects on development and reproduction function have been reported.

Extensive studies on the mechanisms of toxic action help elucidate the possible mechanism by which acetone enhances the neurotoxicity of ethanol.

A section on health effects in humans evaluates findings from numerous case reports of accidental or intentional poisoning, studies conducted in healthy volunteers, and studies of occupationally-exposed workers.

Those at greatest risk include diabetics, alcoholics and those undergoing prolonged fasting.

The report found no evidence that acetone is genotoxic or carcinogenic. It concludes that acetone, even in the case of accidental spills, is unlikely to have a major or lasting effect on the ecosystem.