The Inhalation Toxicity of Ketene and of Ketene Dimer

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) value profile: diketene [CAS No. 674-82-8].

“…Two animal studies were identified that reported lethality data in multiple species. Wooster et al [1947] investigated the effects of diketene in mice, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Mice were exposed to 194, 580, or 870 ppm diketene for 10 minutes, while the other species were exposed to only 194 ppm diketene for 10 minutes.…”

“…Although the results of the Wooster et al [1947] study demonstrated that guinea pigs were more sensitive to diketene than rats, this endpoint was not considered as the basis of the IDLH value because of the small treatment group size (n = 3), the absence of detailed study results, in addition to the use of a non-standardized study protocol. In comparison, Katz [1987] used a standardized, good laboratory practice protocol, relies on larger treatment groups (n=5/sex), and provided detailed study information.…”

“…The available acute lethality database for diketene is limited to one rat study [Katz 1987] and one multi-species study [Wooster et al 1947]. Katz [1987] exposed rats to 0, 250, 500, or 750 ppm diketene for one hour with a 14-day post-exposure period.…”

“…The lethality thresholds were estimated using benchmark concentration modeling, resulting in a BMCL 05 (lower bound estimate of the concentration associated with a benchmark response of 5%) of 181 ppm for lethality. Wooster et al (1947) investigated the effects of diketene in several species. Mice were exposed to 194, 580, or 870 ppm diketene in an acetone solvent for 10 minutes with a 15-day post-exposure period.…”

“…All of the guinea pigs treated at 194 ppm group died. Wooster et al [1947] reported no lethality, clinical signs, or gross pathology findings for rats, mice or rabbits treated at 194 ppm. Table 4 summarizes the LC data identified in animal studies and provides 30-minute equivalent derived values for diketene.…”