# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Ketene | CAS 463-51-4
CH2=CO | RTECS OA7700000
Synonyms & Trade Names Carbomethene, Ethenone, Keto-ethylene | DOT ID & Guide
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: TWA 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3) ST 1.5 ppm (3 mg/m3)
OSHA PEL†: TWA 0.5 ppm (0.9 mg/m3)
IDLH 5 ppm | Conversion 1 ppm = 1.72 mg/m3
Physical Description Colorless gas with a penetrating odor.
MW: 42.0 | BP: -69°F | FRZ: -238°F | Sol: Reacts
VP: >1 atm | IP: 9.61 eV | RGasD: 1.45 |
Fl.P: NA (Gas) | UEL: ? | LEL: ? |
Flammable Gas
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Water, alcohols, ammonia [Note: Readily polymerizes. Reacts with water to form acetic acid.]
Measurement Methods NIOSH S92 (II-2)
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: No recommendation Eyes: No recommendation Wash skin: No recommendation Remove: No recommendation Change: No recommendation | First Aid (See procedures) Breathing: Respiratory support
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH/OSHA Up to 5 ppm: (APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat, respiratory system; pulmonary edema
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system
See also: INTRODUCTION