Acetone at room temperature is a colourless, highly volatile liquid with an aromatic mint-like odour. It is soluble in water.
Hazardous properties
Acetone has low flash point (<-20 °C) but a high ignition temperature (539 °C), it evaporates readily forming a highly flammable vapour even in aqueous solution.
Acetone is an irritant to the mucous membranes (eyes and upper respiratory tract) and prolonged inhalation of the vapour can cause narcosis, dizziness, nausea and headache.
Occurrence/Uses
Acetone is a common industrial solvent used in adhesives, sealants, surface coatings, lacquers, agricultural and laboratory chemicals, etc. It is widely used in personal care products such as nail polish and nail polish remover.
Detectors available
Gas detector tube (20 ppm – 5 % by volume)
Photoionisation (PID) (0 – 40 ppm)
Catalytic bead (0 – 100% LEL)
Suggested alarm levels
Lo: 5 % LEL (1,250 ppm)
Hi: 10 % LEL (2,500 ppm)
Notes
Acetone should be stored under special conditions due its flammable nature.
