Section 6 : Toxicological Properties

WHMIS: What You Need to Know

11. The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

SECTION 6

TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES (Health Hazard Information)

ROUTE OF ENTRY:
Skin Contact        Eye Contact        Inhalation
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EFFECT OF ACUTE EXPOSURE TO PRODUCT:
Generally, a solvent of low toxicity.  At high conc. (2000 ppm), inhalation
of the vapour may cause headache, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting 
while eye contact will result in noticeable irritation.  Liquid acetone is 
mildly irritating on skin contact but moderately irritating if splashed 
into the eyes.
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EFFECT OF  CHRONIC EXPOUSRE TO PRODUCT:
There are few reports of adverse health effects caused by long-term 
exposure to acetone.  Long-term contact with the liquid removes natural 
oils from the skin.
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IRRITANCY OF MATERIAL:  SENSITIZATION TO MATERIAL:  SYNERGISITIC:
See above                None known                      Unknown
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CARCINOGENCITY, MUTAGENICITY, REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS, TERATOGENCITY
There is no evidence that acetone causes cancer.

Acetone is classed as a compound of low toxicity. Since it evaporates easily, its major route of entry into the body is through inhalation. Skin or eye contact with liquid acetone or its vapour may result in mild to moderate irritation. Acute exposures through inhalation, to moderately high concentrations of acetone may cause headache, drowsiness, nausea etc.