Ketene

Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

Use powder, carbon dioxide. NO water. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water. NO direct contact with water.

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Ketene:

(General first aid procedures)

...CANNOT BE...STORED IN A GASEOUS STATE.

Protect containers against physical damage by shock. Outdoor or detached storage is preferable. For indoor storage, use standard combustible liquid storeroom or cabinet.

PERSONS NOT WEARING PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING SHOULD BE RESTRICTED FROM AREAS OF LEAKS UNTIL CLEANUP HAS BEEN COMPLETED. IF KETENE IS LEAKED, THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN: 1. REMOVE ALL IGNITION SOURCES. 2. VENTILATE THE AREA OF LEAK. 3. STOP FLOW OF GAS. DISPOSAL METHODS: KETENE MAY BE DISPOSED OF BY BURNING AT A SAFE LOCATION OR IN A SUITABLE COMBUSTION CHAMBER.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

inhalation, skin and/or eye contact

Cough. Shortness of breath. Symptoms may be delayed.

Redness.

Redness. Pain.

irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat, respiratory system; pulmonary edema

SEVERE PULMONARY IRRITANT CAUSING PULMONARY EDEMA IF INHALED.

STRONG IRRITANT TO SKIN & MUCOUS MEMBRANES.

TOXIC BY ... INHALATION ... .

KETENE IS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY IRRITANT GASES TO THE RESP TRACT; ITS TOXICITY APPEARS TO BE OF THE SAME ORDER OF MAGNITUDE AS THAT OF PHOSGENE AND ALSO RESEMBLES PHOSGENE IN ITS DELAYED ACTION ON THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for KETENE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/IN MICE AND RATS/ CONCN OF OVER 100 PPM ... PROVED FATAL WITH DEATH OCCURRING RAPIDLY WITH ... MARKED EYE, NOSE, THROAT, & PULMONARY IRRITATION. AUTOPSIES SHOWED THAT THERE WAS DILATATION OF THE RIGHT HEART & MAJOR DAMAGE TO ALVEOLAR WALLS WITH PULMONARY EDEMA.

... REPEATED INHALATIONS AT 1 PPM IN THE RAT, CAT, & MONKEY ... SHOWED EVIDENCE OF LUNG DAMAGE ... INTERSTITIAL FIBROSIS, CELLULAR INFILTRATION, ATELECTASIS, & EMPHYSEMA /ON AUTOPSY/.

EXPOSURE OF MONKEYS TO 23 PPM IN AIR FOR FOUR HOURS CAUSED THE ANIMALS TO RUB THEIR EYES, COUGH, & BECOME LETHARGIC.

/IN GUINEA PIGS/ CONCN OF OVER 100 PPM ... PROVED FATAL WITH DEATH OCCURRING RAPIDLY WITH ... MARKED EYE, NOSE, THROAT, & PULMONARY IRRITATION. AUTOPSIES SHOWED THAT THERE WAS DILATATION OF THE RIGHT HEART & MAJOR DAMAGE TO ALVEOLAR WALLS WITH PULMONARY EDEMA.

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Ketene is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.