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ATSDR - Public Health Statement: 2-Hexanone Page 2 of 5 , are exposed, and your individual characteristics such as age, sex, nutritional status, family traits, lifestyle; and state of health. 1.1 What is 2-hexanone? 2-Hexanone, also known as methyl n-butyl ketone or MBK, is a clear., colorless liquid with a somewhat sharp odor. The liquid form-can easily evaporate into the air as a vapor. It is a waste product of wood pulping, coal gasification, and oil shale operations..2-Hexanone was formerly used in paint and paint thinner and'in various chemical substances. However, since it was found to have harmful health effects, it is no longer made in the United States, and its uses have been restricted. There are no known major natural sources of 2-hexanone in the environment. When 2-hexanone is released to rivers or lakes, it dissolves very easily, and it may evaporate into the air in a few days. We do not know if 2-hexanone Binds to soil. When 2-hexanone is released to the water, air, or soil, it is probably broken down into smaller products; possibly within a few days. back Lo iop 1.2 How might I be exposed to 2-hexanone? You can be exposed to.2-hexanone if you live near an industry or hazardous waste site that releases the liquid into wastewater or the gas form into the surrounding air. These industries include coal gasification plants, oil shale operations,-and wood pulping mills. We have no information on background levels of 2-hexanone.in ` the environment. 2-Hexanone has been found as a natural substance in foods such as cheese, nectarines, nuts, bread, and chicken muscle. We do not know the levels of 2-hexanone in these foods. 2-Hexanone has been found in milk and cream at levels up to 0.018 ppm (0.018 parts of 2-hexanone in one million parts of liquid). These levels are far below the levels that have caused harmful effects in animals. It has also been found in drinking water and soil near hazardous waste sites. Exposures at these sites may take place if you drink the contaminated water or bathe in it; if you get contaminated soil on your skin, or if you breathe the contaminated air. back to top 1.3 How can 2-hexanone enter and leave my body? 2-Hexanone can enter your body when you breathe its vapors, eat food or drink water that contains it, or when you come in contact with it through your skin. When 2-hexanone is breathed in, about 75% of it is,taken up and remains in-the body unchanged or as a breakdown product for an unknown length of time. If it enters the body by mouth, about 65% of the chemical leaves the body slowly (in about a week), either unchanged or as breakdown products, in the breath and urine. The rest may either stay in the body or may leave the body slowly through the breath or urine. One of the http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs44.htm1 4/5/2007