Is methyl ethyl ketone hazardous?

* Exposure can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and may cause you to pass out. * Repeated high exposure can damage the nervous system and may affect the brain. * Methyl Ethyl Ketone is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD.

Is methyl ethyl ketone banned in the UK?

MEK is a popular chemical solvent used across several industries including ink, varnishes, and paint, but has MEK been banned? The answer is no.

What is butanone used for?

Butanone is an effective and common solvent and is used in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings and in vinyl films.

Is MEK harmful to humans?

People exposed to MEK have nose, throat, skin and eye irritation. If MEK is inhaled with other harmful chemicals, the damage can be more serious. Animals that breathed or swallowed high levels of MEK had serious health effects, including birth defects, fainting and death.

Is MEK banned in California?

The short answer is yes, MEK was banned in southern California in 2011. California is one of the stricter states in terms of laws placed on the use of VOCs. In particular, southern Califorina has completely banned MEK, as they must be compliant with SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District).

Do you need a respirator for MEK?

A disposable mask cannot be used with MEK. It must be a full facepiece reusable respirator with organic vapor chemical cartridges up to 3000 PPM. Anything over 3000 ppm work site concentration would be supplied air only.

Is methyl ethyl ketone a carcinogen?

EPA has classified methyl ethyl ketone as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.

Is butanone a carcinogen?

No animal studies were found that examined whether 2-butanone can cause cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that the data are inadequate for an assessment of human carcinogenic potential (cause cancer) of 2-butanone.

Does MEK cause liver damage?

MEKP causes severe corrosive injury to the upper gastrointestinal tract, as well as liver necrosis.

What happens if you get MEK on your skin?

Is MEK stronger than acetone?

MEK or Methyl Ethyl Ketone is stronger than Acetone, because it has a slower evaporation rate and boils at a higher temperature. These differences are why MEK can be a stronger cleaning agent than acetone.

Can I buy methyl ethyl ketone in California?

Can MEK be stored in a plastic container?

When in use, it must be in a five-gallon (18.9 l) plastic can with an opening large enough to get the spray pump and nozzle into it. The paint/MEK mixture is pumped back into a five-gallon (18.9 l) can and removed from the jobsite into a 55-gallon (208.2 l) drum for disposal later.

Is MEK a carcinogen?

Is acetone stronger than MEK?

What is the strongest solvent you can buy?

Butanone or MEK is tied with acetone as one of the strongest solvents. This solvent is used as lacquer, varnish, paint remover, denaturing agent for denatured alcohol, glue and cleaning agent.

Will MEK damage PVC?

When using MEK to prepare the surface of your PVC or urethane material, use it sparingly. Over application can dissolve and damage the material’s coating.

Is MEK illegal in California?

Can you use MEK on wood?

MEK can be used for removing old finishes from wood surfaces, and for cleaning and preparing PVC plastic surfaces before applying glue. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct amount of MEK required.