ACETONE
Acetone is an organic compound, which has a formula of (CH3)2CO. The chemical is characterized by its colorless nature. It is also a mobile, flammable liquid and has the simplest ketone while its CAS number is 8006-664-2. Alternatively, the chemical formula of the chemical is C3H6O. Acetone is miscible with H2O thus serving as a key solvent. (Jones pg 137).
Synonyms of Acetone
There are two synonyms for Acetone namely the propane and the dimethyl ketone. The simplest ketone; which is highly flammable, is a liquid, which is widely used globally as an organic solvent. It can also be used as a material for plastic making. Acetone is another synonym of Acetone (McMichael pg 75).
Molecular Weight (MW)
he Molar mass of (CH3)2CO is equal to 58.07914 g/mol while the molecular weight calculation is done by (12.0107 + 1.00794*3)*2 + 12.0107 + 15.9994. While finding the molar mass, the first step is to find the units of the grams per mole thus (g/mol) (Holding pg 95). Calculating a chemical compound molecular weight, it reveals the number of grams that are in a particular mole of the substance. The formula weights are important in determining products and reagents relative weights during a chemical reaction (Holding pg 95).
Boiling Point (BP)
In determining the Boiling Point of a pure Acetione, distillation apparatus are first arranged, and then 20 ml of acetone and boiling stones of about 50 ml are introduced in a round bottom flask. Heat is then introduced to distillate the collects which are found in the receiver so that they can drop (Zeitsch pg 129). In case there is an absence in the drops then it shows superheating. The distillation should continue until the 2 ml of the residue remain in the distillation flask (Brown pg 125).
Specific Gravity (SG)
Specific Gravity or the Relative Gravity is usually the density ratio that is the unit volume of mass of a particular substance to the material density (Clarke, p. 137).
Flashpoint of an acetone is a low temperature at which acetone can form a combustion. In Lower Explosive Limit, waste gases normally consist of hydrocarbons mixture with air. Alternatively, mixtures, which have low hydrocarbon concentration that cannot be easily ignited, are the lower explosive limits (Pohanish pg 67).
Vapor Pressure of octane
The vaporization heat of acetone is usually at 32.0KJ/moL. In normal circumstances, vapor pressure is pressure, which is exerted by the vapor in the thermodynamic equilibrium hence, it is condensed in phases either solid or liquid phases. Vapor pressure of octane increases non-linearly with enough temperature (Kotz pg 12).
Human Exposure Symptoms
There are many symptoms associated with human exposure be it through swallowing or breathing. Some of the common symptoms, which are usually experienced by human beings because of overexposure include, excessive vomiting, breathing problems, confusion, nausea and abnormal skin color. In case a person fails to observe any symptoms but he has taken poison, then he should contact any poison control center or an emergency department.
Top Two Human Health Effects
The two main human health effects are weather and climate. These two play a major significant role in human beings health. Climatic changes affect the average weather patterns that human beings are accustomed. With this, there would be an increase in the number of deaths and illnesses related to heat issues. (Whitten pg 489).
Laboratory Analytical Method – OSHA
Sample preparation
The specified sample is transferred into each adsorbent to enable the separation of each auto- sampler vials. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate powder of approximately 100mg is added to each sample. They are apparently in partitions in the water phase with the result in lower recoveries. Acetone desorption efficiency on Carbosieve S-III, which is wet with a target of 88% concentration without consideration of the magnesium sulfate and magnesium of 99% added correspondingly (Pohanish pg 695). The conditions of the analysis are as follows:
Analysis Conditions
column temperatures 60°C for 4 min, then program to
150°C at 15°C/min, hold at
150°C for 4 min
injector temperature 200°C
detector temperature 220°C
carrier flow rate 25 mL/min (nitrogen)
detector gas flow rates 25 mL/min (hydrogen)
250 mL/min (air)
injection volume 1.0 µL
GC column 10 ft × 1/8 in. stainless steel column packed with 20% SP-2100/0.1% Carbowax 1500 on 100/120 Supelcoport
retention time 3.0 min
During the analysis, electronic integration is applicable in measuring the detector response.
Calculations involved in the analysis
A calibration curve prepared through plotting of acetone concentration determined is against the actual concentration for each of the given standard value. Squares fit that are linear are applicable in the determination of the acetone concentration in each of the given samples. This curve is applicable in the determination of concentration in each of the given samples. Following the detection of acetone, concentration sum of both the sections with the subtraction of the significant found amounts in the blanks from the given total is possible (Pohanish pg 695).The calculation of the concentration of air in each given sample applies this equation:
Mg/m3 = (A) (B) / (C) (D)
where A = µg/L from 3.7.2
B = Volume of desorption (1mL)
C = sampled liters of air
D = Efficiency of desorption (97.5%)
The conversion of acetone results into ppm from mg/m3applis the following equation
ppm = (mg/m3)(24.46) / (58.08)
where mg/m3 = 3.7.3 the resultant
24.46 = 760 mm Hg and 25°C molar volume
58.08 = Acetone Molecular weight
Laboratory Analytical Method – NIOSH
The contents combined of each specified content tube is transferrable to a given 2 mL vial. Each of the given samples is then desorbed with a desorbing agent of 1.0mL. A seal follows immediately with the desorbed 30 min on occasional shaking. Standard acetones are prepared through the dilution of MEK and a desorbing reagent. The generalized conditions involve in the preparation of standardized acetones analysis (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Selected Airborne Chemicals pg 47).
zone temperatures (°) flow rates (mL/min)
Column: 140 Nitrogen: 25
Injector: 200 Hydrogen: 22
Detector: 300 Air: 240
Injection size: 1 µ
Elution time: 1.3min
An integrator is applicable in measuring the peak areas through internally standardized procedure. The data of retention time within the given single column is not a considerable chemical identity proof (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Selected Airborne Chemicals Pg 47).
Calculations involved in Laboratory Analytical Method – NIOSH
Following the programming of the integrator to enable results of ppm for a 3-L corrected in case of desorption efficiency, the calculation below is applicable in the correction of the specified results to the air volume that is sampled
ppm MEK = (ppm on report) (3)
________________________________________( sampled liters of air)
International Chemical Safety Cards
The ICSC provides an essential safety and health information concerning chemicals in promotion of a safer use. They are applicable in work places involving the use of acetone and forming part of training and education activities. There is provision of intrinsic hazards concerning specified chemicals with first aid and measures of firefighting and the precautions on acetone disposal, spillage, packaging, transport, labeling and storage (Kar Pg 9).
Chris code
CHRIS Code is designed to enable the provision of necessary information required for responsible decision-making. This is in case of emergencies involving acetone chemicals that may occur during transportation. It also provides usable information for the achievement of safety procedures when handling acetone chemicals to prevent unnecessary accidents (Performance of Protective Clothing Pg 967). CHRIS constitutes a propagated handbook with a hazard assessment system and the necessary technical support. The provided manual constitutes CHRIS cornerstone with listing of specifications regarding chemicals data necessary for components preparation and use. The manual guarantees the following response in case of acetone release:
• Warning issuance following the high flammability, air and water contaminant nature of acetone or corrosiveness
• Access restriction allowed when the chemical becomes hazardous to the personnel without proper protection when handling acetone.
• Evacuation of the area with primary application, when acetone is exposed to igniting agents.
NFPA Hazard Classification
(i) Health: four (extreme)
Acetone as a material that when exposed for only a short time can result to death or residual injury inclusive without considering specialized equipments for protection (Performance of Protective Clothing Pg 967).
(ii) Flammability; Three (serious)
The following degree includes the class IB and IC of the acetone as a flammable product with easiness in ignition under its normal exposure temperature conditions. Water is considered ineffective following the control or extinguishing of acetone fires (Performance of Protective Clothing Pg 967).
(iii) Instability: two (moderate)
Acetone is a material capable of undergoing violent changes chemically at specified elevated temperatures and given pressures is categorical. In massive fires involving acetone, fire fighting is done from a safer distance (Performance of Protective Clothing Pg 967).
Odor threshold
Odor concentration of acetone is measurable through the method of triangle odor bag. In the method, the threshold of acetone obtained through detection of a difference from an odor-free background. Therefore, acetone order thresholds on reports are usually almost equal to the specified detection threshold (Goldstein Pg 356).
IDLH value
The concentration acetone value is 500 (ppm), which is 10% of the limit of lower explosion. The major purpose for the establishment of the value is to enable the workers handling the acetone to escape following contamination of the working environment. This follows a failure of the valued respiratory equipment meant for protection (Cheremisinoff & Paul Pg 231).
OSHA PEL
The OSHA PEL applicable formula of acetone is CH3COCH3 with a limit of 1000 ppm as a limit of 8-hour TWA. The agency proposed an idea of having the limit lowered to 250 ppm in 8-hour TWA. This was in consideration to studies having reports of effects to the nervous system and irritant nature following an exposure to the concentration of acetone at levels below the mark of 1000 ppm. OSHA PEL considers the value of acetone to be 750 ppm in 8-hour TWA and a respective 1000-ppm in 15-minute STEL. In consideration to the evident records on acetone, there is a slo a consideration of lowering the PEL to a 750 ppm in 8- hour TWA with a short limit to 1000 ppm (Thompson Pg 276).
ACGIH TLV
The body represents reviews of documented data with designed guidelines applicable in industrial decision making in regards to acetone exposure safety levels. In the application of the proposed guidelines, multiple factors are considerable following the evaluation of specified situations and acetone workplace conditions (Lindeburg pg 45).
NIOSH PEL
The NIOSH has considerable recommendations on the exposure limits of acetone that involves time-weighted standard concentrations. This is considerable for up to a 10-hour in a specified workday for the duration of a 40-hour workweek. The circumstance of acetone is considerable to NIOSH as potential industrial carcinogen having a designation of notation “Ca” (Ash et al, Pg 269) (Thompson Pg 302).
DOT HAZMAT Classification
The classification of acetone under DOT HAZMAT specifications is as follows:
DOT Hazmat Classes
Class 1 Explosive (1.1‐1.6)
Class 2 Gasses (2.1‐2.3)
Class 3 Flammable liq
Class 4 Flammable solids (4.1‐4.3)
Class 5 Oxy/OP (5.1, 5.2)
Class 6 Poison (6.1‐6.2)
Class 7 Radioactive
Class 8 Corrosive
Class 9 Other Regulated Material with packing groups, I, II or III
Works cited
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