Acetone: Cutaneous Solvents That Can Harm the Body

Acetone is a liquid that in the industrial world is often used as a solvent. In the human body, acetone is one of the constituents of ketones which are the result of fat breakdown.

In the body, the formation of acetone can be an indication that cells in the body experience insulin deficiency or disruption of the effectiveness of insulin use in the body. One of the conditions in which this can occur is diabetes.

One of the characteristics of acetone as a liquid is that it evaporates easily. Another feature of acetone is flammability and is usually produced without color. This compound has a smell like mint and has a spicy flavor.

In addition to the human body, naturally, this compound with the chemical formula C3H6O can be found in plants, trees, volcanic gases, and due to forest fires. Human behavior that can cause the presence of acetone is cigarette smoke, motor vehicle fumes, and waste disposal or waste disposal sites.

Use of Acetone

In everyday life, acetone is commonly used as a solvent for various other substances. Some of the products that acetone can dissolve are paint, oil, wax, resin, plastic, and glue.

Another use of this substance is as one of the ingredients for making plastics, fibers, drugs, rayon, photographic films, non-acidic powders, and other chemicals. Other uses of acetone in daily life are for cleaning and drying.

In the home and cosmetic industries, the use of acetone is also spread in various products. Products that commonly use these substances are cleaning products for household appliances, detergents, rubber cement, nail polish cleaners, paint cleaners, waxes, polishes, and rubber adhesives.

Acetone Can Make Someone Poison

Although it is commonly used as material for household, beauty and industrial purposes, acetone can also cause harmful effects on the human body. Acetone poisoning is commonly referred to as ketoacidosis which occurs when the amount of acetone in the body exceeds the normal threshold.

This substance poisoning can be caused by acetone from the body or from the surrounding environment. What comes from the body occurs when the amount of ketones in the body is too high. Certain medical conditions also allow the body to experience ketoacidosis.

Metabolic medical conditions, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, allow excessive acetone to occur in the body. This happens especially when glucose levels are not treated properly. Not only metabolic disease, someone who experiences hunger in the long run is also more at risk of developing ketoacidosis.

When long-term starvation occurs, carbohydrate deposits in the body run out so that the cells in the body begin to break down fat reserves into ketones. Ketone levels will soar that the liver cannot process it. This will cause ketones to overflow in the blood and ketoacidosis occurs.

Acetone poisoning can also occur when this substance is inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. Acetone can enter the body if someone inhales cigarette smoke. Another possible way is if someone is exposed to isopropyl alcohol commonly used as a solvent or for medical purposes. The presence of isopropyl alcohol in the body can turn into acetone.

Some products that contain acetone and are commonly used for household use can also be a medium for ketoacidosis. Food and beverages consumed may contain acetone. This can happen when a house is located in a location that releases excessive acetone emissions, such as highways and waste storage or landfill.

People who work in factories manufacturing paints, plastics, shoes, synthetic fibers, and chemicals also face the risk of exposure to acetone. Workers who use paint, solvents, glue, and cleaning products can also experience the same thing.

This is the result of Acetone Poisoning

Luckily, it is rare for a person to experience acetone poisoning. The human body has the ability to break down acetone naturally. Even though in large quantities, the human body can still process it.

Acetone poisoning can occur if a person swallows or inhales this substance in large amounts and in a short time. If a person has a mild level of poisoning, he can experience headaches, lethargy, slurred speech, sweetness in the mouth, and reduced body coordination.

Severe symptoms of acetone poisoning can be low blood pressure, fainting, and coma. Other consequences that can occur are seizures, respiratory disorders, irritation of the respiratory tract, burning eyes, and even death. The best way that can be done if someone feels exposed to acetone is to contact the doctor.

Label : Health cat_Health