What Is Acetone?
Acetone is a colorless, evaporable, and inflammable liquid. It has a unique smell and taste and readily dissolves in water.
What Is Acetone Otherwise Called?
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Beta-keto propanone.
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Dimethyl ketone.
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2-Propanone.
Where Is Acetone Found?
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Humans and Animals:
Acetone is a byproduct of human and animal fat metabolism. Our human body uses glucose for energy. When there is less intake of carbohydrates or when there is a lack of insulin to move the glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, fat is used for producing energy. Ketone is produced as a byproduct of the fat metabolism that happens in the liver. Of all the ketones produced in the body, acetone is the most important. When you get all your energy from fat, there is excess production of ketones, and the resulting state is called ketosis. In diabetic patients, ketoacidosis can occur, which is a life-threatening complication due to ketone accumulation in the blood. While in some people who are on a low-carbohydrate diet, nutritional ketosis occurs that might help in weight loss.
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Nature:
In addition to being present in the body, acetone is also seen in nature and many household products. Acetone is a solvent that is used in nail polish removers, paint removers, varnish removers, and also to remove grease from wool. It is released from trees, volcanoes, forest fires, exhaust from cars, tobacco, and landfills.
What Is Acetone Toxicity?
Anything that is within limits is good. But when it exceeds, problems occur. The liver can only break down a certain amount of acetone. Acetone toxicity occurs when too much acetone builds up in the body, and the liver is unable to break it down.
How Common Is Acetone Toxicity?
Since the body can break down significant amounts of acetone, toxicity that can happen with acetone is infrequent. The chances of acetone toxicity are seen only when there is inhalation and ingestion of large amounts of acetone within a short span of time.
What Are the Causes of Acetone Toxicity?
1. In the Human Body:
When the liver breaks down too much fat, ketone accumulation occurs in the body, which results in a condition called ketoacidosis. There are about three different types of ketone bodies synthesized during fat metabolism, and acetone is an important ketone. Ketoacidosis is a condition with dangerous complications. This is much more common in people with uncontrolled diabetes.
2. From External Sources:
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Intake of nail polish remover.
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Intake of rubbing alcohol.
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Accidental intake of acetone-containing cleaning solutions.
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Being exposed to excessive amounts of paints in a closed environment.
How Is Acetone Toxicity Manifested?
Acetone toxicity is associated with fatal complications. However, it can also produce mild symptoms. The following are the mild to severe symptoms of acetone toxicity:
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Headache.
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Sweet taste sensation in the mouth.
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Slurred speech.
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Difficulty concentrating.
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Absence of coordination.
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Fatigue.
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Sleepfulness.
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Low blood pressure or hypotension.
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Stupor in which the individual responds to only physical stimuli and not to any verbal conversation.
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Coma.
Prolonged exposure to acetone can result in dryness, redness, and cracks in the skin. When acetone comes in contact with the eyes, it can result in soreness, redness, and tearing in the eyes. Acetone is not a potential carcinogen and cannot cause cancer.
How Is Acetone Toxicity Diagnosed?
1. Although it can be weird to hear, acetone toxicity produces a fruity odor in your breath. This is because of the accumulation of ketones that have occurred in the bloodstream. It is an important feature that helps in the diagnosis of acetone toxicity.
2. Urine Examination:
Under normal circumstances, ketones are not seen in the urine. But when acetone toxicity occurs, urine shows the presence of ketones which can help in the diagnosis.
3.Blood Test:
The presence of ketones and the acidic nature of your blood can be detected by blood tests.
4. Toxicology Screening:
It helps in identifying the presence of toxic chemicals in the human body.
What First Aid Should Be Given if a Person Comes in Contact With Acetone?
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When acetone has been inhaled, move the patient to an area of fresh air. Keep the individual away from ignition sources.
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If acetone comes in contact with eyes, immediately wash the eyes in lukewarm tap water for 15 minutes to 20 minutes. Remove your contact lenses, if any. In terms of skin contact, wash the area in running water for 5 minutes and take off the clothing that has come in contact with acetone.
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Ingestion of acetone needs immediate medical attention. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with water. In other forms of acetone contact also you should reach out to the doctor if you experience any discomfort, irritation, or redness.
How Is Acetone Toxicity Treated?
Stomach Pumping:
When you reach out to the doctor within a few minutes of ingestion, acetone can be cleared from your stomach by stomach pumping. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the stomach through the throat. Through this tube, water and saline are injected into the stomach, and the contents are sucked back until the acetone present in the stomach is fully sucked out. An important disadvantage of this technique is when the tube enters the lung instead of the stomach, the saline and water injected can result in aspiration pneumonia leading to the death of the individual. Also, stomach pumping is possible only when the patient is taken to the hospital in a few minutes. When it is past an hour, this technique is not of use because acetone gets absorbed quickly.
Supportive Care:
There is no treatment available for acetone toxicity, and treatment mainly aims at providing supportive care. Your system naturally tries to remove these acetones from the body. When there is an accumulation of acetone in the blood, there is rapid breathing which is a defense mechanism of the body to eliminate the acetones. In such cases, intubation is done to help you with breathing. Intravenous fluids and blood pressure support may be necessary.
Can I Vomit After Drinking Acetone?
Do not try to vomit the contents of your stomach if you have drunk large amounts of acetone because it can damage the mucosa of the oral cavity and esophagus.
How Can We Prevent Acetone Toxicity?
1. In the Body:
Ketoacidosis that happens within the human body can be prevented by keeping your diabetes in control. Do adequate lifestyle and dietary modifications along with medications and keep your sugar level in control to prevent the accumulation of ketones in the body.
2. Accidental or Purposeful Ingestion:
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Do not drink the solutions that contain acetone like nail polish removers, paint thinners, varnish removers, etc.
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Do not inhale these products.
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Keep these products from the reach of children.
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Make sure these products are not splashed into the eyes.
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Avoid skin contact with these products.
3. Exposure:
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While working with products that contain acetone, make sure the room is well-ventilated.
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In places where there is poor ventilation, do wear a face mask to prevent its exposure.
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When working with acetones, do not forget to wear safety glasses to avoid splashes of acetone to come in contact with your eyes.
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Do not allow children to places where you work with acetone and keep the bottles out of reach.
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As acetone has an inflammable property, do not keep heaters and flames near it.
Conclusion:
Acetone is a liquid that has its use in many household items. When used within limits, it can be highly beneficial. Use acetone carefully so as to prevent acetone toxicity. Also, if you are a diabetic individual, keep your sugar levels in check to prevent ketoacidosis.
