NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) testimony to DOL (Department of Labor) on proposed permanent standard for vinyl chloride, by M. Key, M. D. , June 25, 1974

Technical Report · Tue Jun 25 04:00:00 EDT 1974

OSTI ID:5824373

Testimony was presented to aid in the determination of an acceptable level of exposure for vinylchloride. The testimony pertained to the areas of epidemiology and surveillance, sampling and analysis, respiratory protection, and exposure levels. Three deaths from angiosarcoma of the liver among polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) workers triggered the organization of a surveillance network to establish the number of deaths from this disease and its possible relationship to occupational exposure to VC and/or PVC. Average age at death for the PVC workers was 48.5 years. The estimated latent period for this disease was about 20 years. Other health effects from VC exposure may include a disabling liver fibrosis. Results of NIOSH Walk Through Surveys were briefly presented. A compilation of data from air sampling in seven PVC fabrication facilities showed that breathing zone samples ranged from 0.3 to 12ppm with a mean of 3ppm. Estimated time weighted average exposures were about 2ppm. Peak levels of at least 300ppm were noted. Extended exposures at these levels were not considered probable; however, maintenance and repair workers may experience such levels.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5824373
• Report Number(s): PB-87-222873/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
BODY
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
GLANDS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRY
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LIVER
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NEOPLASMS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PLASTICS INDUSTRY
POLLUTION
STANDARDS
TOXICITY
VINYL CHLORIDE