OSHA reduces permissible worker exposure level to formaldehyde

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5382902

The US Department of Labor announced on November 20 that it is reducing permissible worker exposure to formaldehyde by two-thirds in a new final rule that will be published shortly. Health studies indicate that workers exposed to formaldehyde are at increased risk of contracting occupational illnesses. This new standard will eliminate significant risks of these decreases among workers through its sharp reduction of permissible exposure levels (PELs). The new standard lowers the PEL for formaldehyde at all work places covered by the OSH Act to one part per million parts of air (1 ppm) averaged over an eight hour workday from the current 3 ppm and establishes a short term exposure level (STEL) (i.e. exposure during any 15-minute period) of 2 ppm. OSHA also has adopted an action level of 0.5 ppm measured over eight hours. If work place exposures are maintained below the STEL and the action level, employers may discontinue required exposure monitoring, certain employee training, and parts of medical surveillance.

• OSTI ID: 5382902
• Journal Information: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 38:1; ISSN JPCAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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