Get Informed | Acetone

What is Acetone? 

Acetone, (CH₃)₂CO is a usually clear and colorless flammable volatile organic liquid that has a pungent to fruity odor. In organic chemistry, acetone is described as being the smallest and simplest ketone. To visualize what an acetone molecule looks like and what ketones are, start with a single carbon with four open bonds. Attach an oxygen with a double bond to the carbon, leaving two open bonds. What you now have is what is known as a carbonyl group; it is not yet a molecule because it still has two open (unattached) bonds. A ketone would be what you would get if you attached any carbon-containing groups to those two open bonds from the carbonyl group (=C=O). The simplest carbon-containing group is a methyl group which is a methane (CH4) minus one hydrogen (it would have one open bond, CH3–). Acetone could then be described as a carbonyl group to which are attached two methyl groups; all bonds are satisfied and you now have an acetone molecule.

Acetone can be found in paints, lacquers, solvents, varnishes, cements/glues, cleaners, plastics, drugs, and various fibers and is used in the leather and rubber industry. Acetone is also released during automobile combustion, landfill releases, tobacco smoking, and burning of waste materials. In addition to man-made sources, acetone is created during the natural living and growing processes of plants and animals, volcanic gases, and forest fires and is present in fruits and vegetables. Levels of acetone are typically higher in individuals on a low-carbohydrate or high fat diet, after vigorous exercise, or because of poorly-managed diabetes. The odor threshold for acetone in air is between 13 to 140 mg/L and in water the threshold level is about 20 mg/L. Acetone is also a biodegradation product, i.e., breakdown product, associated with MTBE contamination and therefore associated with releases from gasoline stations and leaky underground storage tanks.

How does Acetone become a problem? 

Acetone is quickly absorbed by ingestion, inhalation, and, to a lesser extent, via dermal exposure. Absorbed acetone is almost entirely eliminated from the body within a day after exposure. Because of the lack of substantial data for human and animal carcinogenicity, acetone is currently classified as a Group D carcinogen although it does not appear to be a mutagen. An animal study on rats that drank water containing acetone for 18 weeks indicated that the rats experienced weight-loss associated with a decrease in food consumption and in other animal studies the animals experienced anemia, decreased sperm mobility and malformed sperm, and mild kidney toxicity.

What are the Health Risks for Acetone?

Acetone is more readily absorbed via ingestion and inhalation and to a lesser extent via dermal contact. After the acetone enters the body, it is readily absorbed by the stomach and the lungs or absorbed during dermal contact and gets into the bloodstream which distributes the acetone throughout the body but it does not remain in the body for very long.

The liver breaks acetone down to chemicals that are not harmful. The body uses these chemicals to make glucose (sugar) and fats that are a source of energy for normal body functions. The acetone that is not broken down leaves the body through exhalation or via urination. In general, acetone leaves the body in about 3 days.

Animals given large amounts of acetone in food and water for short periods of time developed bone marrow hypoplasia, kidney degeneration, and issues with the liver; smaller animals had a lower number of newborns and lower body weights and male rats with long-term exposure experienced anemia and kidney disorders. (Source)

What are the Standards for Acetone?

The EPA has not issued a health advisory for acetone. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has set a Median Specific Concentration (MSC) for aquifers with total dissolved solids of < 2500 mg/L of 33.0 mg/L acetone. Massachusetts has set a drinking water limit or standard of 6.3 mg/L, which may have evolved from: "the EPA developed a non-cancer toxicity value (Reference Dose or RfD) for acetone. From the RfD, DES has derived a reference guideline for drinking water of 6,000 ppb." (or 6 ppm).  

Note- Health-Based Screening Level - "A benchmark concentration of contaminants in water that may be of potential concern for human health, if exceeded. For noncarcinogens, the HBSL represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse effects over a lifetime of exposure. For carcinogens, the HBSL range represents the contaminant concentration in drinking water that corresponds to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 chance in 1 million to 1 chance in 10 thousand." (Source: U.S. Geological Survey. Non-cancerous Health Based Screening Level of 6000 ppb or 6 mg/L.)

Get Tested | Acetone

Like many contaminants in drinking water, the organic compound is potentially hazardous at levels or concentrations that do not impart a noticeable taste, odor, or appearance to the water. Your best course of action is to get your water tested and to compile as much information as possible about your water supply source, well construction, surrounding land-use, activities surrounding your home, and the chemicals used and stored at your home. Acetone is more likely in a well or spring water source than in a city water source. It could be a problem if your water comes from a spring or groundwater source, is near a landfill, a commercial or industrial area that uses acetone, areas with coal gasification, or industrial discharges associated with "paper, plastic, pharmaceutical,specialty cleaning and polishing products, paint and allied products, gum and wood chemicals, industrial organic chemicals, gypsum products, and paper board products.” (Reference)