Where is acetone found

It has a low potential for causing acute or chronic health problems. But it does have some risks. Acetone liquid and vapor catch fire easily.

People should never use acetone-based products around an open flame or while smoking. Acetone is an irritant, which means it can irritate the skin. For this reason, some people cannot use acetone-based nail polish removers. If a person is exposed to or inhales acetone fumes, it may also irritate the eyes, nose, throat, or lungs. This can cause :.

Severe exposure to acetone vapor may cause damage to the nervous system, confusion, or unconsciousness. Typically , ingesting a small amount of acetone will not harm an otherwise healthy person. Certain amounts could harm a child, and adults who ingest a large amount of acetone may be at risk for acetone poisoning. The symptoms of acetone poisoning include :. People can help prevent the adverse effects of acetone by using it safely. This means using acetone-based products:. Always close bottle lids tightly when not in use, and dispose of any cotton wool with acetone on it in a bin with a tight-fitting lid to help prevent fumes from escaping.

When no longer using the product, wash hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, or touching the face. Keep acetone products out of the reach of children. People who work with acetone can take further precautions , such as:.

People with diabetes can help prevent ketosis by taking medication as prescribed, regularly checking blood sugar levels, and eating the correct amount of carbohydrates.

They should speak with a doctor if their insulin dosage needs to change. If they have just swallowed the acetone and do not have symptoms yet, use the webPoisonControl triage tool to get expert advice on what to do next.

Alternatively, call Poison Control at If the person becomes drowsy, collapses, or falls unconscious, call or the local emergency number. If someone has symptoms after inhaling acetone, they should go outside or get fresh air immediately. In a draft screening assessment for health and environmental effects, Environment Canada identified no critical health effects from exposures expected to occur from occasional, intermittent use of certain products containing acetone.

Acetone is highly flammable but is generally recognized to have low acute and chronic toxicity. If inhaled, acetone could cause a sore throat or cough. Acetone is commonly used as a solvent to manufacture plastics and other industrial products. Acetone is also a primary ingredient in many nail polish removers.

In chemistry, a pure chemical compound is a chemical substance which contains only one substance and a particular set of molecules or ions. Pure acetone contains only the molecules or ions of acetone. Personal Care Products Council. Acetone is used by humans to dissolve other substances and to produce plastics, paints and coatings, cleaning products, and personal care products.

Other manmade sources of acetone are vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and landfills. Acetone is also released naturally by plants, trees, insects, microbes germs , volcanic erruptions, and forest fires, and can be found naturally in many fruits and vegetables.

Low levels of acetone are produced naturally by the human body, and some health conditions can cause these levels to increase. A strong scent of acetone and irritation in your eyes, nose, and throat are warning signs of moderate exposure.

Noticing these signals can help you avoid exposure to damaging levels of acetone. If you are exposed to acetone, it enters your blood, which carries it to all organs in the body.

When there is only a small amount, your liver breaks it down into harmless chemicals. Breathing or swallowing high amounts of acetone over a short period of time can cause headaches, confusion, nausea, racing pulse, changes to the size and amount of blood cells, unconsciousness passing out , or coma. Breathing a moderate to high amount of acetone can also cause nose, throat, lung, and eye irritation. Acetone can enter the body by inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. If you are a smoker or exposed to passive smoking, the chemical can enter the body as tobacco smoke contains acetone.

You can also be exposed from vehicular pollution as well as living near a landfill site. What household products contain acetone? Some commonly used products that contain this solvent include:.