Cover: The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

German Research Foundation – Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area
(MAK Commission)

ISSN 2509-2383



2,3‐Pentandion

MAK-Begründung

  Andrea Hartwig1 (Vorsitz der Ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
  MAKCommission2

1 Institut für Angewandte Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Lebensmittelchemie und Toxikologie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Geb. 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Deutschland
2 Ständige Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Deutschland

Abstract

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated 2,3‐pentanedione to derive a maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value), considering all toxicity endpoints. The critical effects of 2,3‐pentanedione were inflammation, necrosis, ulceration and fibrosis in the lung and inflammation, exudates and metaplasia in the nasal cavity in rats and mice after inhalation for 14 days. In this study the NOAEC in rats was 49 ml/m3 and the LOAEC in mice was 49 ml/m3 for effects in the lung. The occurrence of fibrosis after only two weeks of inhalation is assessed as a severe effect. Due to the structural similarity of 2,3‐pentanedione to diacetyl (2,3‐butanedione), which is responsible for bronchiolitis obliterans in popcorn workers, and the likeliness of lung effects in rodents, a MAK value of 0.02 ml/m3 is set in analogy to diacetyl. As the critical effect is systemic, 2,3‐pentanedione is assigned to Peak Limitation Category II. The excursion factor of 1 is set in analogy to diacetyl. Skin contact may contribute significantly to systemic toxicity and 2,3‐pentanedione is designated with an “H”. In analogy to diacetyl, skin sensitization (Sh) is expected but not airway sensitization. Because there are no studies on developmental toxicity, the substance is assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group D. 2,3‐Pentanedione is neither genotoxic nor carcinogenic.


Keywords

2,3-Pentanedione, lung toxicity, nose, irritation, MAK value, maximum workplace concentration, peak limitation, skin sensitization, skin absorption