Ketones and your health
Learn about ketones, their health risks and how to reduce your exposure
On this page
- About the Ketones Group
- Safety of the Ketones Group
- What we're doing to reduce your exposure
- What you can do to reduce your exposure
About the Ketones Group
Ketones are a group of chemicals that share a common chemical structure. Many ketones are found naturally in humans and the environment, as well as in some plants and foods. They are also produced by industry for a large number of purposes including as solvents in products, such as:
- paints
- coatings
- adhesives
- degreasers
- paint or coating removers or strippers
Certain ketones may be used as food additives or flavouring agents. They're also used in cosmetics, natural health products and in pest control products.
Safety of the Ketones Group
Under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to people in Canada and to the environment. We have recently completed the chemical risk assessment for the Ketones Group.
Our assessment found that two ketones pose a risk to health when they're inhaled:
- methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
- methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)
Breathing in these substances when using certain products available to consumers may be associated with:
- an increased risk of cancer
- effects on the liver and kidneys
- effects on growth and development
The following products containing MEK and/or MIBK are of concern:
- degreasers
- liquid paints
- wood lacquers
- adhesive removers
- paint or coating thinners
- spray products (such as spray paints)
- paint or coating removers or strippers (such as lacquer removers)
However, the assessment also found that ketone substances:
- aren't harmful to the environment
- don't pose a health risk from other sources, including from their presence in food, cosmetics or natural health products
What we're doing to reduce your exposure
To reduce your exposure to MEK and MIBK in the products of concern, we're proposing:
- adding MEK and MIBK to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, which is a list of toxic substances
- this will allow Canada to implement preventive or control actions at any point of the life cycle of the substances, including:
- research and development
- manufacture and import
- sale
- use
- storage
- transport
- disposal or recycling
- this will allow Canada to implement preventive or control actions at any point of the life cycle of the substances, including:
- implementing concentration limits and/or labelling requirements for the identified products of concern containing MEK or MIBK
You can provide any comments on our risk management approach during the 60-day public comment period.
What you can do to reduce your exposure
You can take steps to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.
- read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions:
- MEK may also appear as 2-butanone on ingredient labels
- MIBK may also appear as 2-pentanone, 4-methyl on ingredient labels
- use personal protective equipment, as indicated on product labels
- open windows or doors, or run exhaust fans during and after you use products that contain MEK or MIBK
- follow the manufacturer's directions to store and dispose the product safely
Not all products available to consumers provide a list of ingredients. If you're unsure if your product contains MEK or MIBK, contact the manufacturer.
If you're exposed to MEK or MIBK at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:
- relevant laws
- safe handling and storage practices
- requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
Related links
- Healthy home guide
- Toxic substances list
- Chemical risk assessments
- Measuring your exposure to chemicals
- Canada's system for addressing chemicals
- Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan