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METHYL ETHYL KETONE


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Health concerns of ingredient
About the ratings
Cancer no information
Developmental & reproductive toxicityyes
Allergies & immunotoxicity no information
Other HIGH concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
Other MODERATE concerns: Neurotoxicity
Other LOW concerns: Data gaps, Occupational hazards

About the ratings

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

Synonym(s): MEK, 2-BUTANONE; 2-BUTANONE (MEK) ; BUTANONE; MEK; 2-BUTANONE (OSHA) ; 3-BUTANONE; ACETONE, METHYL-; AETHYLMETHYLKETON (GERMAN) ; BUTANONE; BUTANONE 2 (FRENCH) ; ETHYL METHYL CETONE (FRENCH)

Neurotoxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicityChemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans
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Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Type of Concern Reference
Known human respiratory toxicantEPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as medium human health priorityEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Developmental/reproductive toxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidenceChemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans
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Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Type of Concern Reference
Classified as irritantEuropean Union - Classification & Labelling

Cancer

Type of Concern Reference
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humansEPA Water Disinfection By-Products Carcinogenicity

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Type of Concern Reference
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Miscellaneous

Type of Concern Reference
Occupational hazards related to handling European Union - Classification & Labelling

Multiple, additive exposure sources

Type of Concern Reference
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food FDA Everything Added to Food

Ecotoxicology

Type of Concern Reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

Type of Concern Reference
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)

references
government/industry list/academic study reference
European Union - Classification & LabellingCPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
Association of Occupational and Environmental ClinicsAOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
EPA Water Disinfection By-Products CarcinogenicityEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2006. EPA Water Disinfection By-Products with Carcinogenicity Estimates. Last updated: 10 April 2006.
FDA Everything Added to FoodFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986-2005 guidelines.
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListIFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25
EPA Hazardous Air PollutantsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2005. Office of Air. The 112(b)1 Hazardous Air Pollutants List (as modified). Last modified: 12 Dec 2005.
National Library of Medicine HazMapNLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humansGrandjean P and PJ Landrigan. 2006. Developmental neurotoxicity of industrial chemicals. Lancet. 2006 Dec 16;368(9553):2167-78.
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.

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