National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Methyl isobutyl ketone (4-Methyl-2-pentanone) is an industrial chemical used in the production of paints, pesticides, textiles, inks and rubber.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 5 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 141 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 3,577,609 |
- |
- |
Health Concerns for Methyl isobutyl ketone:
- Allergies/immunotoxicity
- Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
- Occupational hazards
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Neurotoxicity
- Miscellaneous
- Multiple, additive exposure sources
Methyl isobutyl ketone Exposure by State
Water utilities in 5 states have reported detecting Methyl isobutyl ketone in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Methyl isobutyl ketone contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| Texas | 109 | 3,130,026 |
| Delaware | 6 | 206,713 |
| Minnesota | 22 | 171,863 |
| California | 2 | 56,982 |
| Michigan | 2 | 12,025 |
| Total | 141 | 3,577,609 |
The Most Polluted Communities
141 water utilities reported detecting Methyl isobutyl ketone in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Methyl isobutyl ketone level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marietta Marietta, MN | 174 | 1 of 1 | 93 ppb (93 ppb) |
| 2 | City of Rio Vista Rio Vista, TX | 650 | 1 of 1 | 50 ppb (50 ppb) |
| 3 | Brazoria County Mud 6 Sugar Land, TX | 1,692 | 1 of 1 | 20.5 ppb (20.5 ppb) |
| 4 | Iona Iona, MN | 161 | 1 of 1 | 20 ppb (20 ppb) |
| 5 | Grand Meadow Grand Meadow, MN | 945 | 2 of 3 | 18.33 ppb (0 to 33 ppb) |
| 6 | Country Meadows Glen Rose, TX | 120 | 1 of 1 | 17.79 ppb (17.79 ppb) |
| 7 | Durham Park Wsc Liberty Hill, TX | 558 | 1 of 6 | 16.67 ppb (0 to 100 ppb) |
| 8 | Selbyville Water Department Selbyville, DE | 1,645 | 1 of 3 | 15.43 ppb (0 to 46.3 ppb) |
| 9 | Voshells Cove Dover, DE | 252 | 1 of 1 | 14 ppb (14 ppb) |
| 10 | Yancey Wsc Yancey, TX | 4,731 | 1 of 1 | 12.77 ppb (12.77 ppb) |
Testing Summary for Methyl isobutyl ketone
| Are tests routinely required for Methyl isobutyl ketone by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Methyl isobutyl ketone (2004-2009): | 5,691 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.6 per year |
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Human toxicant or allergen - strong evidence | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Known human respiratory toxicant | EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1958 |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at low doses | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5383 |
| Limited evidence of respiratory toxicity | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center |
| Limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center |
| One or more animal studies show effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1958 |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1946 |
Occupational hazards
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,126,1971 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910 1994 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926 1994 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915 1993 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204 1994 |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Classified as irritant | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Human irritant - strong evidence | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986 |
Neurotoxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more animal studies show brain, nervous system, or behavioral effect effects at high doses | RTECS®- Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 1973 |
| nervous system - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
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 |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | 4-METHYLPENTAN-2-ONE | •Highly flammable •Highly flammable •Harmful •Harmful by inhalation •Irritant (eyes, skin, or lungs) •Irritating to eyes and respiratory system •Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | • S |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | • S |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | • S |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | • S |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | MIBK | •Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications •Industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) notes missing safety data in its review of this ingredient •Avoid skin contact •Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel •May contain harmful impurities • •Lung sensitizer •Irritation (eyes, skin, or lungs) |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | 2-PENTANONE, 4-METHYL- | •This chemical was deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. |
| EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE (MIBK) | Data are inadequate for an assessment of human carcinogenic potential |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | 4-METHYL-2-PENTANONE | •The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008. |
| EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE (HEXONE) | •Hazardous air pollutant under Clean Air Act |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | •Neurotoxin: CNS Solvent Syndrome; •PEL (OSHA) - Permissible exposure limit (OSHA): 100 ppm; •STEL (ACGIH) - Short-term exposure limits (ACGIH): 75 ppm; •LC50 - Lethal concentration in 50% of animals tested: 8000 ppm; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 50 ppm; •BEI - Biological Exposure Indices (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiene, ACGIH): MIBK in urine = 2 mg/L; sample at end of shift;; •Flammability (NFPA) - NFPA flammability code: 0 = will not burn; 1 = must be preheated; 2 = high ambient temp required; 3 = may ignite at ambient temp; 4 = burn readily: 3: may ignite at ambient temperature; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 500 ppm; •Odor Threshold High - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 7.8 ppm; •Odor Threshold Low - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 0.1 ppm; •MAK - Maximum Allowable Concentration (Federal Republic of Germany): 20 ppm; |
| EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | •Pesticide inerts: potentially toxic, testing priority, according to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) |
| EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | •Pesticide inerts: potentially toxic, testing priority, according to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | 4METHYL2PENTANONE | •Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | •Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected |
| US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | •Skin or sense organ toxicity hazards: suspected |
| US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center | METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE | •Gastrointestinal or liver toxicity hazards: suspected |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | MIBK | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | MIBK | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986 | MIBK | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 1973 | MIBK | • brain, nervous system, or behavioral effect - Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1946 | MIBK | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant ( human ) |
| RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,126,1971 | MIBK | • occupationally related - MSHA STANDARD-air (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5383 | MIBK | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5383 | MIBK | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926 1994 | MIBK | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Construc) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204 1994 | MIBK | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Fed Cont) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910 1994 | MIBK | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Gen Indu) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915 1993 | MIBK | • occupationally related - OSHA PEL (Shipyard) (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1958 | MIBK | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50) • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | CPS&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 Clinics | AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation. |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | FDA (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 List | EC (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 List | IFRA (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 Pollutants | EPA (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 HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1987 & 2005. Office of Pesticide Programs. Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients in Pesticide Products - Categorized List of Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients. |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule. |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. See Environmental Defense's Suspect Hazard Identification documentation. |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986 | RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J., Prague, Czechoslovakia, Avicenum, 1986 -,284,1986 |
| RTECS®- Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 1973 | RTECS®- Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya. Labor Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. (V/O Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, 113095 Moscow, USSR) V.1-36, 1957-1992. For publisher information, see MTPEEI 17(11),52,1973 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1946 | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. (Cambridge, MA) V.18-31, 1936-49. For publisher information, see AEHLAU. 28,262,1946 |
| RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,126,1971 | RTECS®- MSHA STANDARD-air: 3,126,1971 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5383 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0535383 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5383 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0535383 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926 1994 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Construc): 29,1926.55,1994 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204 1994 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Fed Cont): 41,50-204.50,1994 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910 1994 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Gen Indu): 29,1910.1000,1994 |
| RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915 1993 | RTECS®- OSHA PEL (Shipyard): 29,1915.1000,1993 |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1958 | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet. (Union Carbide Corp., 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06817) 4/25/1958 |
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