Acetone

Acetone is a colorless, volatile, and flammable organic solvent with a distinct sweet odor. It occurs naturally in plants and the environment, dissolves completely in water, and does not bind to soil or accumulate in aquatic organisms.

In humans, acetone is produced and disposed of via normal metabolic processes. Produced during animal fat metabolism, it’s found in trace amounts in human urine and blood. Acetone can be detected in vehicle exhaust and smoke from volcanoes, fires, tobacco, wood, and other materials.

Exposure to moderate or high acetone concentrations can cause eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation. Exposure to high or very high concentrations can cause dizziness, nausea, uncoordinated movements, slurred speech, and coma.

After extensive testing, acetone is not classified as genotoxic, carcinogenic, or neurotoxic. In 1995, it was listed as volatile organic compound (VOC) exempt by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Synonyms: Dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, beta-ketopropane, propan-2-one, dimethyl formaldehyde, methyl ketone, pyroacetic ether, dimethylketal, ketone propane