ABSTRACT
The release of 2-hexanone to the environment is expected to occur through its manufacture, formulation, and use as a specialized organic solvent. The relatively high water solubility of 2-hexanone suggests that rain washout may be an important fate process. If released to soil, 2-hexanone is expected to display high mobility and is capable of undergoing rapid biodegradation. Using an acclimated mixed microbial culture seed, a 59% theoretical biological oxygen demand for 2-hexanone was obtained after five days of inoculation. 2-Hexanone was shown to undergo rapid anaerobic biodegradation utilizing an anaerobic digester sludge inoculum. The value of the Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization of 2-hexanone from environmental waters is probably significant, but may not be rapid. For the general public, probable routes of exposure include the ingestion of natural and processed foods in which it has been identified, and through the inhalation of 2-hexanone vapors from commercial coatings which would release the solvent while drying and curing.
