Matt Hardie

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Discovered by Chaim Weizman a russian scientist during WWI by preforming the fermentation of glucose
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Which produced a sugar with 6 carbon atoms which was the creation of acetone

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Acetone is naturally produced in the body during certain metabolic processes
It is naturally occurring after an event like a forest fire, exhaust from a vehicles and burning waste, etc.
Acetone is synthesized and used in nail polish remover, plastics, paint, adhesives, inks and resins
It is the building block in organic chemistry

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The synthesis of acetone changed during
WWII as is was industrialised for the war to make cordite which was a compound very similar to gun powder
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It became a very popular substance in labs after the war and is now used in the creation of many different every day items

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Direct- paint, nail polish removers, plastics, adhesives, inks and resins
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Indirect- used to synthesize methyl methacrylate and may other compounds, it is used as a solvent in many substances

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High levels of exposure can cause death, comas, seizures, respiratory damage, kidneys and the skin inside your mouth can be damaged
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Mid exposure can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, headaches and in some cases intoxication.
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Some indirect risks include smoking cigarettes or breathing in second hand smoke.

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To manage the risks work in a ventilated area, wear face masks, eyewear and gloves
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The most similar alternatives would be ethyl acetate or hydrogen peroxide which would have less effects on workers.

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Chem Spider http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-
Structure.175.html
Tox Town http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/che micals.php?id=1
The CCOHS http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/ chem_profiles/acetone.html