Ketene

RTECS #
OA7700000
CAS #
463-51-4
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
42.04
Molecular Formula
C2H2O
Synonyms
Carbomethene
Ethenone (9CI)
Ketene (ACGIH:OSHA)
Keto-ethylene

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/cat Lowest published lethal concentration: 750 ppm/10MLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of salivary glands
JIHTAB 31,209,1949
inhalation/guinea pig Lowest published lethal concentration: 53 ppm/2HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
JIHTAB 31,209,1949
inhalation/monkey Lowest published lethal concentration: 200 ppm/10MEye: Ptosis

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
JIHTAB 31,209,1949
inhalation/mouse Lowest published lethal concentration: 23 ppm/30MBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea
JIHTAB 31,209,1949
inhalation/rabbit Lowest published lethal concentration: 53 ppm/2HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
JIHTAB 31,209,1949

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.5 ppm;short term exposure limit 1.5 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,143,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.86 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 1.5 ppm (2.6 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3);KZW 1 ppm (1.8 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.87 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 1.5 ppm (2.6 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDshort term exposure limit 0.5 ppm (0.87 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 1.5 ppm (3 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 1.5 ppm (3 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.86 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.86 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 1.5 ppm (2.6 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 0.5 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 1.5 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.9 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.87 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 1.5 ppm (2.6 mg/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO KETENE-air10H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm;short term exposure limit 1.5 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 41840; Number of Industries 1; Total Number of Facilities 33; Number of Occupations 1; Total Number of Employees Exposed 66

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018