NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) testimony to DOL (Department of Labor) on OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) proposed rule for occupational exposure to benzene, by R. Lemen, March 20, 1986

Technical Report · Thu Mar 20 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5811571

The testimony reviewed the history of benzene exposure and the development of recommended exposure limits. Data were reviewed on pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity, long- and short-term exposures, and skin absorption of benzene. Benzene or its metabolites have been shown to remain in the body for a long period of time following inhalation exposure. Studies in mice revealed exposure-related increases in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei at all exposure concentrations. Some epidemiological standards relating to the benzene standard were cited. NIOSH recommended that the Permissible Exposure Limit for benzene be reduced to 0.1 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, and that there be a limit on short-term exposures of 1.0ppm for any 15-minute period. These recommendations were made to protect against inhalation of benzene and did not relate to skin absorption. Reports indicated that significant benzene absorption can result among workers exposed to solvents containing about 0.5 percent benzene. It was recommended that steps be taken to eliminate this route of exposure. The use of pressure-demand supplied air respirators with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus or a pressure-demand apparatus was recommended.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5811571
• Report Number(s): PB-87-222667/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ABSORPTION
AIR POLLUTION
AROMATICS
BENZENE
COATINGS
DRUGS
DYES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
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POLLUTION
RESPIRATION
SOLVENTS
STANDARDS
TOXICITY