Acetone

What is acetone?

Acetone is an important solvent that is used in many industrial processes. It belongs to the group of ketones, a class of organic compounds. Acetone is produced in the manufacture of plastics, paints, varnishes and other chemical products. Due to its wide range of applications, it plays an important role in the chemical industry.

Origin

Acetone is mainly produced industrially, particularly in the manufacture of plastics, paints and varnishes. It is also found in many cleaning agents and solvents. It is also produced in small quantities in the human body during the burning of fat.

Recognition

Acetone is colourless and has a sweet, slightly fruity smell. It evaporates quickly at room temperature and is highly flammable. In contact with the skin, acetone can cause dryness and irritation, and at high concentrations in the air it can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.

Limit values

The Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft) specify limit values for acetone emissions in order to protect people and the environment.

Workplace exposure limit value (WEL): In the EU, the OEL for acetone is 500 ppm (1200 mg/m³) over an average exposure time of 8 hours. This value indicates the average concentration of a substance in the air at the workplace at which no adverse health effects are to be expected.

Hazards

Health: Short-term exposure to acetone may cause headaches, dizziness and irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. Prolonged or high exposure can cause more serious health effects such as nerve damage.

Environmental: Acetone is a volatile substance that can affect air quality. If it enters bodies of water, it can disrupt the ecosystem.

Economic damage: Acetone can corrode materials and cause corrosion, which can lead to damage to machinery and equipment.