health and safety plan solid waste management unit assessment

METHYL ETHYL KETONE 41-12
41.3.1.2 Mutagenicity
Methyl ethyl ketone showed no evidence of mutagenicity when tested
in TA102 and TA104 strains of Salmonella tvuhimurium (1001). It was
shown to be marginally positive, at best., in a Chinese V-79 hamster
cell assay which indicates the ability of compounds to inhibit gap
junction-mediated intercellular communication (1013). Zimmerman (10111,
using the diploid yeast strain D61.M of S_ac Serevish, found
methyl ethyl ketone strongly induced mitotic aneuploidy (having more or
less than the normal number of chromosomes), but no other types of
detectable genetic effects.
41.3.1.3 Teratogenicity, Embryotoxicity and Reproductive Effects
Schwetz s &. (1003) exposed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to 1000
or 3000 ppm of methyl ethyl ketone vapor in a chamber for 7 hours a day
on days 6 through 15 of gestation. No evidence of maternal toxicity
was observed. A retardation of fetal development and a significant
increase in the number of anomalous skeletons (19% vs. 0 in the control
group) were observed at both the 1000 and 3000 ppm treatment levels.
Examination of the litters of the dams exposed to 3000 ppm methyl ethyl
ketone revealed 2 fetuses with acaudia (no tails) and imperforated
anus, and 2 fetuses with brachygnathia (shortened lower jaw). Though
these unusual anomalies were not statistically significant, Schwetz did
note that they had never before been observed in control animals in the
Sprague-Dawley strain in his laboratory.
Due to a lack of dose-related response in the previous experiment,
Deacon s &. (1005) duplicated the study in order to determine the
repeatability of the unusual anomalies observed by Schwetz.
Experimental design was identical. Exposure to 3000 ppm methyl ethyl
ketone produced a slight maternal toxicity as shown by a decreased
maternal weight gain. Minor anomalies in fetal development included an
extra lumbar rib and delayed ossification of the cervical centra which
were noted by Deacon to occur at low incidence historically among
control rats in his laboratory. The findings presented in this
follow-up study indicate that methyl ethyl ketone produced a slight
fetotoxic effect at the 3000 ppm exposure level, but no embryotoxic or
teratogenic response in rats.
41.3.1.4 Other Toxicologic Effects
41.3.1.4.1 Short-term Toxicity
Acute
irritation
exposure to methyl ethyl
to the eyes, nose and throat,
ketone generally
CNS depression,
results in
emphysema and
congestion
reported
of the liver
to be 2.7-3.6
and kidneys,
g/kg (47,13)
The oral
while the
LD,, range for rats
reported LC,, value
is
irr
the mouse is a two-hour exposure to 40,000 mg/m3 methyl ethyl ketone
(47).