chemical classifications and the communication of hazards
Assignment Instructions
For this assignment, you will apply what you have learned about chemical classifications and the communication of hazards. To complete this assignment, follow the steps below:
- Download the SDS for acetone, reproduced with permission from Sigma-Aldrich, Co. LLC.
- Review the SDS, and present in a concise form the hazards of acetone discussed in the document.
- Analyze the information in the SDS, and discuss how you would propose to handle drums of acetone that are stored and the measures you would take when using acetone in a manufacturing operation.
Your completed project must be at least two pages in length, and you must use at least one academic resource in addition to the SDS in your response. APA formatting is required. All sources used, including the course textbook, must be referenced. Paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying in-text citations.
Resources
The following resource(s) may help you with this assignment.
SAMPLE STUDENT ANSWER
Acetone Safety Requirements
Acetone is a flammable, colorless, and mobile liquid that has a pungent odor. It dissolves in water and evaporates easily. It is widely used as a cleaning substance for medical and cosmetic applications, laboratories, a component in food packaging and food additives, and skin treatment (Wang et al., 2021). It is also used in the manufacturing of fibers, plastic, drugs, and other chemicals.
Acetone should be handled with care due to its characteristics. Therefore, this essay identifies acetone hazards, storage requirements, and measures when working with the chemical.
Hazards of Acetone
The safety data sheet for acetone provides information about the chemical, its potential hazards and ways to prevent the hazards. The document has discussed various hazards of acetone. The first hazard is that it is highly flammable in vapor and liquid form meaning that the chemical can be ignited easily and burn quickly if it comes in contact with fire (Sigma-Aldrich, 2022).
The second hazard is that it causes serious eye irritation. It can irritate the eye when it enters the organ. Third, it might also cause dizziness or drowsiness when inhaled for a long. Repeated exposure to the chemicals in the skin might cause cracking or dryness of the skin.
Proposals
Drums of acetone should be handled with extreme caution since it is highly flammable. I would propose that the chemical is stored in steel tanks or drums. The drums should be closed and kept away from flames, heat, and sparks (Haight et al., 2013). I would also propose that one storage building should have no more than 60 gallons of acetone since the chemical belongs to class 1B flammable liquid. Wang et al. (2021) noted that no more than 60 gallons of class 1B flammable liquid should be stored in any one building because of their highly flammable characteristics.
However, if my company wants to store more than 120 gallons of acetone, it must seek the services of approved flammable liquid storage safety buildings (Wang et al., 2021). I would also propose that the drums be labeled with a danger pictogram to show their high flammability feature. Lastly, I would also propose that the drums be kept in lockers that can be built to be either 2-hour or 4-hour fire-rated or customized fireproof, flammable liquid containers.

Measures
I would take the following measures when using acetone in a manufacturing operation. The first measure is putting on safety glasses and face shields that are tested and approved by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to protect workers’ faces and eyes (Sigma-Aldrich, 2022). The second measure is to protect the body by wearing impervious clothing, flame retardant antistatic protective clothing (Sigma-Aldrich, 2022).
Third, I would protect the respiratory system by asking workers to wear full-face respirators approved by NIOSH (Ji et al., 2020). Lastly, I would prevent further spillage or leakage until it is safe to do so (Haight et al., 2013). I would prevent the product from entering the drains.
Conclusion
Acetone is a highly flammable chemical that should be handled with extreme caution. It also causes eye irritation, dryness of skin or cracking in repeated exposure, and can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Acetone drums should be labeled dangerous and stored based on class 1B flammable liquid storage requirements. I would ensure that workers wear safety glasses and face shields, wearing impervious clothing, flame retardant antistatic protective clothing, and full-face respirators when using acetone in a manufacturing operation.
References
Haight, J. M., Butler, T. S., Caccavale, S., Fink, W. S., Freeman, J., & Jos, A. J. (2013). Environmental Safety and Health Regulations. American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781885581808
Ji, Y., Zhang, T., Gui, X., Shi, H., & Yun, Z. (2020). Solventless ketalization of glycerol to solketal with acetone over the ionic liquid [P (C4H9) 3C14H29][TsO]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 28(1), 158-164.
Sigma-Aldrich. (2022). Safety data sheet: According to Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/KE/en/sds/ALDRICH/W332615
Wang, Z., Wang, F., Hermawan, A., Asakura, Y., Hasegawa, T., Kumagai, H., & Yin, S. (2021). SnO-SnO2 modified two-dimensional MXene Ti3C2Tx for acetone gas sensor working at room temperature. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 73, 128-138.