Methyl ethyl ketone

Making/using paints, inks, coatings, adhesives, and degreasers; auto repair and furniture work. Also in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and some foods [1].

Breathing vapors at work or during home projects (especially indoors); skin contact with liquid; sometimes from nearby industrial air or water [1][2].

Short-term exposure can cause irritation, headache, and dizziness; very high levels may cause unconsciousness. It can dry/irritate skin and may make other solvents (e.g., n-hexane) more harmful. Not known to cause cancer; some developmental effects seen in animals at high doses [1][2][3].

Workers in manufacturing, painting, printing, or auto repair; people using solvent products in poorly ventilated spaces; pregnant people and children; those with asthma [1][2].

Choose MEK-free products; use outdoors or with strong ventilation; keep containers closed; avoid open pans; wear gloves and eye protection; follow workplace controls and Safety Data Sheets [1][2].