Neurobehavioral Effects from Acute Exposures to Methyl Isobutyl Ketone and Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Abstract

Subjects were tested for neurobehavioral performance in an environmental chamber to detect the presence of subclinical central nervous system effects from 4-hr exposures to methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) at 100 ppm, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) at 200 ppm, MIBK at 50 ppm with MEK at 100 ppm, or a placebo (i.e., a 5-min presentation of 25 ppm MEK—MIBK at each exposure period outset). Subjects were 68 males and 75 females recruited from local universities; ages ranged from 18 to 32 years. Ethanol by ingestion (95% – 0.84 ml/kg) was used as a positive control. Five psychomotor tests (choice reaction time [CRT], simple reaction time [SRT], visual vigilance, dual task [auditory tone discrimination and tracking memory scanning), one sensorimotor test (postural sway), and a test of mood (profile of mood states) were used to measure neurobehavioral effects. Additionally, chemical measurements (blood and breath) and reports of sensory and irritant effects were measured. The chemical exposures produced statistically significant performance effects on only 4 of 32 measures (% correct responses-visual vigilance, movement time-CRT, SRT, % incorrect responses-dual task). These effects, however, were not substantial and could not be attributed directly to the chemical exposures. Alcohol ingestion, however, produced significant decrements on every performance test except memory scanning and mood. An interaction occurred between gender and alcohol ingestion, such that more statistically significant performance decrements were found for females than for males. Significant odor sensations and irritant effects were reported by the subjects during the chemical exposures. The MEK results agree with earlier MEK experiments at comparable exposure conditions, and the MIBK results are consistent with a recent Swedish study that used MIBK exposures and showed no significant behavioral performance decrements from single MIBK exposures at 50 ppm with 50 W exercise. Additionally, the MIBK—MEK combination exposure showed no evidence of any interaction effects on either the behavioral or chemical measurements. The principal effects resulting from exposures to MEK and MIBK at the durations and concentrations used in the study are limited to sensory and irritant effects.