Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)

French name in the regulation: Méthyl éthyl cétone

CAS : 78-93-3

Exposure Standards in RROHS regulation

Permissible exposure values (PEV)

	ppm	mg/m³	f/cc	Notes
TWAEV	50	150	-	-
STEV	100	300	-	-
Ceiling	-	-	-	-

Carcinogenicity		Sensitizer
Simple asphyxiant		Percutaneous
Prohibited use		Prohibited recirculation
Minimum exposure		Explosion hazard
Ototoxic

TWA adjustment for unusual work schedules

1B : No adjustment

CNESST – Toxicological Index Service

Consult REPTOX file: Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)

Analysis:

Méthyl éthyl cétone

Method: IRSST - 25-3

Sampling protocol

Sampling device:
Sampling media required:

#IRSST	Description
2190	Anasorb 747 140/70mg

Parameters:
Flow rate: Max: 0,2 L/min
TWA sampling volume: 10 L
STEL sampling volume: 3 L

Principle: Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID)
Precision (%): 3,4
Minimum reported value: 30 µg
Remarks: An activated charcoal tube 100/50 mg (#2120) may be used if the samples are refrigerated immediately after sampling of a maximum duration of 15 minutes. This alternative is recommended if other organic substances must be analyzed simultaneously on the same sample, only if the risk of underestimating the concentration of methyl ethyl ketone is assumed by the user. In this case the analytical uncertainty (Cva) is 4.4%. The analysis can be done by gas chromatography couple with mass spectrometry (CG-MS, IRSST method # 369); in this case the analytical uncertainty (Cva) is 4.5%.

Reference

IRSST. "Analyse de la méthyléthylcétone dans l'air". Méthode 25-3. Méthodes analytiques. Montréal: IRSST, 1995.