Methyl isobutyl ketone

Methyl isobutyl ketone is used among others as a synthetic flavouring agent, and as a solvent in paints and lacquers. The Health Council has evaluated its carcinogenic properties, and concludes that there is limited evidence for carcinogenicity. It, therefore, recommends classifying the substance as suspected to be carcinogenic in man, which corresponds to carcinogenic category 2 of the EU classification system.

In addition, the Health Council has evaluated the mutagenic properties of methyl isobutyl ketone. Data is insufficient to evaluate sufficiently its mutagenic potential. Therefore, the Health Council recommends not classifying methyl isobutyl ketone as a germ cell mutagen.