California’s Prop 65 and Public Health Concerns over Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

Garden Grove, CA, February 5, 2013
 
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address increasing concerns over exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is better known by its original name of Proposition 65. 
 
Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. This list includes methyl isobutyl ketone which was added to the Prop 65 list in November of 2011.
 
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Methyl isobutyl ketone is used as a solvent for gums, resins, paints, varnishes, lacquers, and nitrocellulose. Acute (short-term) exposure to methyl isobutyl ketone may irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, and cause weakness, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, vomiting, dizziness, incoordination, narcosis in humans. Chronic (long-term) occupational exposure to methyl isobutyl ketone has been observed to cause nausea, headache, burning in the eyes, weakness, insomnia, intestinal pain, and slight enlargement of the liver in humans.”
 
“Occupational exposure could occur due to the inhalation of vapors and by skin and eye contact in industries that use methyl isobutyl ketone,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Even the general population could come into contact with this chemical if it is released into the environment in industrial effluent and emissions. Methyl isobutyl ketone is even used in some consumer products. LA Testing provides analytical services to help prevent exposure to this potentially dangerous chemical compound.”
 
To learn more about testing for methyl isobutyl ketone or other Proposition 65 testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 1-866-798-1089

jfrasca@emsl.com