HSE Articles

Does Acetone Cause Cancer? Acetone – All You Kneed To Know

Acetone is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid and is the simplest and smallest ketone.

At the end of this article, we will answer this question – Does acetone cause cancer?

Acetone is produced and disposed of in the human body through normal metabolic processes. It is normally present in blood and urine. People with diabetes produce it in larger amounts. Reproductive toxicity tests show that it has a low potential to cause reproductive problems. Ketogenic diets that increase ketone bodies (acetone, β-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetoacetic acid) in the blood are used to counter epileptic attacks in infants and children who suffer from recalcitrant refractory epilepsy.

Table of Contents

Acetone Uses

It breaks down nail polish, making it easy to remove with a cotton swab or cloth.
Acetone is widely used in the textile industry for degreasing wool and degumming silk.
As a solvent, acetone is frequently incorporated in solvent systems or “blends,” used in the formulation of lacquers for automotive and furniture finishes.
Acetone may be used to reduce the viscosity of lacquer solutions.
Printing – as a cleaning solvent
Adhesives Manufacturing – most commonly in carpet adhesives
Wood Stains and Varnishes – for varnish solvents – very common in households
Paint Stripping – as a solvent, also common in households
Polystyrene Manufacture – for polystyrene production
Machinery Manufacture and Repair – as a cleaning solvent
SBR Latex Production – as a solvent
Electroplating – as a vapor degreaser and cold-cleaning solvent

Acetone MSDS

Here is the acetone MSDS

Check here

Acetone disposal

If you are using acetone for a small item, like removing nail polish, you can dispose of it in a metal container lined with a plastic garbage bag; this bag can then be placed with regular garbage.

However, if you have a fully saturated cotton ball or rag, you need to squeeze the excess acetone liquid into a container that will seal tightly, double-bag the material, and then place it into a regular garbage bag.

To dispose of liquid acetone, you need to take the acetone to a hazardous waste treatment, storage, disposal, or recycling facility (TSDR) drop-off site or contract with a TSDR to pick it up from your business.

Acetone health hazard

Acetone is believed to exhibit only slight toxicity in normal use, and there is no strong evidence of chronic health effects if basic precautions are followed.

Acetone has been tested in more than two dozen in vitro and in vivo assays. These studies indicate that acetone is not genotoxic.
There is currently no evidence to suggest a concern for the carcinogenicity of acetone.
Although exposure to high doses of acetone may cause transient central nervous system effects, acetone is not a neurotoxicant.

Read Also: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Acetone storage

Acetone should be stored with a tight-fitting lid and stored in a space where there are no electrical outlets, stoves, or heat-producing sources.