New Swedish occupational standards for some organic solvents

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 1991 · American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700190502· OSTI ID:5395022

Lundberg, P; Loef, A J; Johanson, G; Wennberg, A; Hoegberg, J H; Holmberg, B ^[1]

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1. Department of Toxicology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Solna (Sweden)

In 1987, the Swedish government requested a unique investigation of the consequences of a 50% reduction of permissible exposure levels (PEL) for organic solvents. As a result, 29 solvents were investigated and for 25 of them a reduction--if not to 50%--was suggested. For 13 of the solvents, there existed scientific arguments for a reduction of the PEL. For 12 solvents, no specific biomedical information was available. Presumed interactions between solvents may have influenced the decisions, but technological/economic feasibility criteria may also have been used by the regulators. This suggests that the use of technological/economic feasibility criteria can give lower PELs than health criteria. This is within the intentions of the Swedish Work Environment Act.

• OSTI ID: 5395022
• Journal Information: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (United States), Journal Name: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (United States) Vol. 19:5; ISSN 0271-3586; ISSN AJIMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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