Acetone: History and Hazards
Acetone (chemical formula: (CH3)2CO) is a fast-evaporating, colorless solvent widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and consumer applications. It is one of the most commonly handled chemical solvents in workplaces and households worldwide. Despite being naturally produced in small amounts by the human body, acetone poses serious hazards when handled in quantity, most critically its extreme flammability.
Understanding acetone’s hazards is essential for safe handling, proper storage, and regulatory compliance. Under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), workplaces that use acetone must ensure containers are properly labeled and workers are trained on its hazards.
A brief history of acetone
Acetone has been known to scientists and practitioners for centuries. Medieval alchemists first isolated it through the distillation of metal acetates, referring to it as “spirit of Saturn.” Its precise chemical structure was not identified until 1836, when French chemists Jean Baptiste Dumas and Justus von Liebig formally characterized the compound.
Historically, acetone was produced through the dry distillation of starches and wood. During World War I, acetone became strategically critical as a solvent in the manufacture of cordite, a key explosive propellant. Demand was so acute that the British government organized civilian collection drives to source raw materials. In that period, acetone was famously produced by the fermentation process developed by chemist Chaim Weizmann.
Today, acetone is primarily derived from fossil fuels through the petrochemical industry, most commonly as a co-product of the cumene process used in phenol production.
What is acetone used for?
Acetone’s solvent properties make it useful across a wide range of industries and applications.
Consumer uses:
- Nail polish remover
- Adhesive and paint remover
- Household cleaning agent
Industrial and commercial uses:
- Industrial degreaser for metals and plastics
- Solvent in coatings, resins, and adhesive manufacturing
- Carrier solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Component in chemical skin peels when combined with alcohol (used in dermatology)
- Cleaning agent in electronics manufacturing
Acetone hazards: what workers and employers need to know
Primary hazard: flammability
The dominant hazard associated with acetone is its flammability. Acetone vapors are extremely flammable, with a flash point of -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit), meaning it can ignite at temperatures well below room temperature. Vapors are heavier than air and can travel along surfaces to distant ignition sources such as open flames, sparks, or hot equipment.
Key flammability facts:
- Flash point: -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)
- Autoignition temperature: 465 degrees C (869 degrees F)
- Flammable limits in air: 2.5% to 12.8% by volume
- Classified as a Class IB flammable liquid under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106
This is why all acetone containers, whether consumer or industrial, are required to carry the GHS flame pictogram along with instructions to keep the product away from heat, sparks, and open flames.
Reactivity hazard: acetone and hydrogen peroxide
A particularly serious reactivity hazard arises when acetone is combined with hydrogen peroxide. This reaction produces acetone peroxide, a highly unstable primary explosive compound that is sensitive to heat, friction, and impact. Acetone peroxide is classified as a high explosive and is recognized internationally as a material used in improvised explosive devices.
Because of this hazard, acetone labels used in laboratory and industrial settings should include a reactivity warning in addition to the standard flammability hazard statement. Acetone and hydrogen peroxide must never be stored together.
Health hazards: skin, eye, and inhalation exposure
Acetone is not classified as a carcinogen or a mutagen. However, it does present secondary health hazards through direct contact and vapor inhalation.
| Exposure Route | Health Effect |
|---|---|
| Skin contact | Dryness, defatting, and irritation with repeated exposure |
| Eye contact | Irritation and potential damage from splashes |
| Inhalation | Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, and nausea at elevated vapor concentrations |
| Ingestion | Nausea, vomiting, and central nervous system effects |
OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL): 1,000 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average. NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL): 250 ppm as a 10-hour time-weighted average.
Workplaces should monitor ambient air concentrations when acetone is used in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. See the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards for Acetone for detailed exposure data.
GHS labeling requirements for acetone
Under OSHA’s HazCom Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and the GHS, acetone labels must include the following elements:
Required GHS label elements for acetone:
- Product identifier: Acetone or (CH3)2CO
- Signal word: DANGER
- Hazard pictograms: Flame (flammability); Exclamation mark (irritant)
- Hazard statements:
a) H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
b) H319: Causes serious eye irritation
c) H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness
- Precautionary statements:
a) Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames
b) Use only in well-ventilated areas
c) Wear chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and a vapor respirator
d) Store in a cool, dry, ventilated location in a tightly closed container
- Supplier information: Name, address, and phone number of the chemical manufacturer or importer
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) reference
Safe storage requirements for acetone
Safe storage of acetone is required under both OSHA flammable liquids standards and NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code). Key requirements include:
- Store acetone in a flammable storage cabinet that meets OSHA 1910.106 or NFPA 30 specifications.
- Keep containers tightly sealed when not in use to prevent vapor accumulation.
- Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Keep acetone away from oxidizing agents, particularly hydrogen peroxide and peroxide-forming compounds.
- Post acetone warning labels on all storage containers, including secondary containers used for dispensing.
- Ensure fire extinguishers rated for Class B flammable liquid fires are accessible near storage areas.
Required PPE for working with acetone
Precautionary statements on acetone labels specify the minimum PPE required when handling the chemical. Refer to the acetone Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete PPE guidance.
| PPE Type | Specification |
|---|---|
| Gloves | Chemical-resistant (nitrile, neoprene, or butyl rubber) |
| Eye protection | Splash goggles (not safety glasses alone) |
| Respiratory protection | Vapor respirator or half-face APR with organic vapor cartridge |
| Body protection | Chemical-resistant apron for large-volume handling |
PPE must be matched to the specific task and exposure level. For routine small-volume use, gloves and goggles are the minimum. For large-scale industrial handling or confined space work, a supplied-air respirator may be required.
How to verify acetone compliance in your workplace
Use this checklist to confirm that your facility meets OSHA and GHS requirements for acetone handling and storage:
- All acetone containers are labeled with a GHS-compliant label including the flame pictogram and DANGER signal word.
- A current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for acetone is accessible to all workers who handle it.
- Workers have received HazCom training covering acetone hazards, labeling, and SDS interpretation.
- Acetone is stored in a compliant flammable storage cabinet away from oxidizers.
- Appropriate PPE (gloves, splash goggles, vapor respirator) is available and accessible.
- The storage and use area is adequately ventilated.
- Ignition sources (open flames, sparks, hot surfaces) are eliminated from acetone handling areas.
Frequently asked questions about acetone hazards
Q : Is acetone flammable or combustible?
A : Acetone is classified as a highly flammable liquid with a flash point of -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F). Its vapors can ignite at well below room temperature. The GHS flame pictogram is required on all acetone containers.
Q : Is acetone a carcinogen?
A : No. Acetone is not classified as a carcinogen or mutagen. Its primary hazard is flammability. Secondary health hazards include skin, eye, and respiratory irritation.
Q : What are the health hazards of acetone?
A : Acetone health hazards include skin dryness and irritation, eye irritation from splashes, and dizziness or lightheadedness from vapor inhalation in poorly ventilated areas. Ingestion can cause nausea and nervous system effects. It is not a carcinogen.
Q : What PPE is required when working with acetone?
A : Required PPE for acetone includes chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, or butyl rubber), splash goggles, and a vapor respirator with an organic vapor cartridge. Acetone must only be used in well-ventilated areas.
Q : What GHS pictograms are required on acetone labels?
A : Acetone labels must display the GHS flame pictogram (flammability) and the exclamation mark pictogram (irritant effects). The signal word is DANGER.
External references and authoritative sources
Related resources on MySafetySign.com
- Acetone Warning Labels
- GHS Labels and Pictograms
- Flammable Materials Warning Signs
- Chemical Hazard Labels
- HazCom and GHS Compliance Signs
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