Chemical Sampling Information
	Acetoin
Quick Links General Description Health Factors Monitoring Search    [use word(s)/phrase] Table of Contents By Name A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By CAS Number General Description Synonyms: Acetyl Methyl Carbinol; 1-Hydroxyethyl Methyl Ketone; gamma-Hydroxy-beta-Oxobutane; 3-Hydroxy-2-butanone; 2,3-Butanolone; Dimethylketol OSHA IMIS Code Number: A624 IMIS Name History: Acetyl Methyl Carbinol prior to 1/28/09 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 513-86-0 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: EL8790000 Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2621 127 Chemical Description and Physical Properties: Light yellow liquid molecular formula: C4H8O2 molecular weight: 88.10 boiling point: 148ºC melting point: 15º C flash point: 50º C Health Factors Potential symptoms: Eye, mucous membrane, respiratory system, skin irritation. Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin (HE15); Affected organs: Eyes, respiratory system, skin Notes: Acetyl methyl carbinol (acetoin) is one of several volatile organic compounds (diacetyl, 2-nonanone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate and acetic acid) found in a butter flavoring used at a microwave popcorn plant where many cases of severe respiratory illness had developed. In animals, acetoin is one of the metabolites of the industrial solvent methyl ethyl ketone (2-butanone), and it is further metabolized to 2,3-butanediol. Injection of 14C-labeled acetoin into rats resulted in expiration of 15% of the dose as 14C-carbon dioxide in 12 hours. In a 13-week oral administration study in rats, the NOAEL was estimated to be about 700 times the estimated maximum human consumption of acetoin (0.5 mg/kg/day). The appearance of acetoin and 2,3-butanediol in urine from premature babies was attributed to abnormal colonization of the colon by microorganisms that produce acetoin from a lactose metabolite, pyruvate. Date Last Revised: 08/18/2005 Literature Basis: DiVincenzo, G.D., Kaplan, C.J. and Dedinas, J.: Characterization of the metabolites of methyl n-butyl ketone, methyl iso-butyl ketone, and methyl ethyl ketone in guinea pig serum and their clearance. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 36(3): 511-522, 1976. Gabriel, M.A., Ilbawi, M. and al-Khalidi, U.A.S.: The oxidation of acetoin to CO2 in intact animals and in liver mince preparation. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B 41(3): 493-502, 1972. Gaunt, I.F., Brantom, P.G., Kiss, I.S., Grasso, P. and Gangolli, S.D.: Short-term toxicity of acetoin (acetylmethylcarbonol) in rats. Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 10(2): 131-41, 1972. Mills, G.A. and Walker, V.: Urinary excretion of 2,3-butanediol and acetoin by babies on a special care unit. Clin. Chim. Acta 179(1): 51-59, 1989. Pendergrass, S.M.: Method development for the determination of diacetyl and acetoin at a microwave popcorn plant. Environ. Sci. Technol. 38(3): 858-861, 2004. Westerfeld, W.W. and Berg, R.L.: Observations on the metabolism of acetoin. J. Biol. Chem. 148: 523-528, 1943. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Two specially dried Silica Gel Tubes in series. Each tube has a single 600-mg 20/40 mesh section and a glass-fiber filter, the filter faces forward when sampling. SKC 226-183, or equivalent. Use an opaque tube holder or wrap tubes with aluminum foil or other opaque material while sampling. maximum volume: 9 liters minimum flow rate: 0.05 L/min for long-term sampling; 3 liters at 0.2 L/min for short-term sampling. note: Separate the two tubes and cap both ends of each tube as soon as possible after sampling. Individually seal the two tubes. Protect tubes from light after sampling. analytical method 1: Gas Chromatography; GC/ECD analytical solvent: (95:5) ethanol:water with 2 mg/mL PFBHA reagent method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1012) method classification: Fully Validated analytical method 2: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID analytical solvent: (95:5) ethanol:water method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1013) method classification: Fully Validated All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.