Butanone oxime – performance measurement evaluation

2-Butanone, oxime (MEKO)
CAS Registry Number 96-29-7

A screening assessment on butanone oxime was published in 2010 as part of Batch 7 of the Challenge under the Chemicals Management Plan. In that screening assessment, butanone oxime was identified as a potential concern to human health based on a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to butanone oxime and levels associated with health effects. The primary identified exposure to butanone oxime was from the inhalation of indoor air during and immediately following the application of interior alkyd paints and coating products available to consumers, while important identified health effects in animal studies included potential carcinogenicity, adverse effects on organs, and adverse effects on nose tissue.

The risk management objective to protect human health for butanone oxime was to minimize human exposure to the extent practicable. As inhalation of consumer interior alkyd paint and coating products is the primary source of general population exposure, the Government took action to reduce exposure to butanone oxime by publishing a Code of Practice for 2-Butanone, oxime (Butanone oxime) Associated with the Interior Application of Consumer Alkyd Paint and Coating Products. The Government also added butanone oxime to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

The performance measurement evaluation found that since the publication of the code of practice in 2014, concentrations of butanone oxime in consumer products have not been reduced; therefore, inhalation exposure of the general population remains a concern. While the evaluation did find that 87% of the reported products were labelled with a ventilation recommendation, implicated products without the label still exist. In addition, the data provided for the evaluation was not sufficient to quantify or qualify the effectiveness of the consumer education practice.

The performance measurement evaluation concluded that the risk management actions taken have not achieved their desired results to minimize human exposure to the extent possible from the concerns identified in the final screening assessment, published in 2010.

Moving forward, to ensure that risk management and human health objectives are met, the Government will explore whether a safe level of butanone oxime in consumer interior alkyd paints and coatings can be identified. As well, the strategy to manage risks will be adjusted since the objectives were not met using the existing tool.

Complete details on the performance measurement evaluation for butanone oxime can be found in the Performance Measurement Evaluation for Risk Management of 2-Butanone, oxime - (Butanone oxime).

Related information

• Chemical substances in Batch 7 of the Challenge