NIOSH comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed rule on occupational exposure to ethylene oxide by J. Millar, February 22, 1988

Technical Report · Mon Feb 22 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5983051

The testimony concerned the position of NIOSH regarding exposure to ethylene-oxide (EtO) at the workplace. The data that NIOSH presented to OSHA clearly indicated that exposure to EtO can be controlled to the limit of 5 parts per million (ppm) for 10 minutes and to less than 0.1ppm for an 8 hour work shift. NIOSH investigators have examined sterilizer control systems in nine hospitals and have found that the results support these conclusions. The controls used in these hospitals included modification of the sterilizer cycle to reduce end of cycle EtO concentrations inside the sterilizer chamber, local exhaust ventilation at the vacuum pump discharge, and local exhaust above the sterilizer door. Several work practices were also noted to provide additional safety to the workers. The studies of NIOSH have demonstrated that a health hazard exists to employees from EtO exposures and that one of the major problems arises from the installation of EtO sterilizers without a dedicated exhaust.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5983051
• Report Number(s): PB-91-135145/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ALKENES
CONTROL
DOCUMENT TYPES
ETHYLENE
FUMIGANTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEARINGS
HYDROCARBONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NIOSH
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
US ORGANIZATIONS
VENTILATION