Abstract |
Cyclohexanone is a colorless, slightly volatile liquid with an odor similar to acetone and peppermint. It is chemically stable and is manufactured mainly by catalytic dehydration of cyclohexanol. It is used extensively in the production of nylon and adipic acid, and it is also used as a solvent and degreaser. Cyclohexanone is a strong irritant and a narcotic agent at high concentrations, although concentrations producing such effects are unlikely to occur due to the low volatility of cyclohexanone. Although emission controls specifically for cyclohexanone are not reported, two types of controls are used extensively by the chemical industry to control hydrocarbon emissions. These are vapor recovery and incineration. Control by adsorption on activated charcoal is used when recovery is economically desirable. Based on the results of the health effects research presented in this report, and the ambient concentration estimates, it appears that cyclohexanone as an air pollutant does not pose a threat to the health of the general population. In addition, cyclohexanone does not appear to pose other environmental insults which would warrant further investigation or restriction of its use at the present time. |