NIOSH comments to DOL, OSHA proposed rule on occupational exposure to ethylene oxide, Docket H-200 June 22, 1983

Technical Report · Wed Jun 22 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:6143067

The testimony concerns the opinions of NIOSH concerning the proposed standard from OSHA. NIOSH generally supports the efforts to reduce the PEL for ethylene-oxide (EtO), but feels that the medical surveillance provisions of the proposed rule would not contribute to a reduction in risk. Concerning suitable methods for determining compliance with EtO permissible exposure limits, NIOSH suggests the procedure of Qazi and Ketchem of the Union Carbide Corporation, which has as its lower limit 3 parts per million. The possibility of lifestyle factors entering into the increased risk for cancer from exposure to EtO was discussed as well as proposed medical surveillance provisions, the use of personal protective equipment, the usefulness of field tests, the extent of the routine physical examination, the incidence of quadriradial or other chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral lymphocytes over time after exposure to EtO, and circumstances for the wearing of respirators.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6143067
• Report Number(s): PB-91-135152/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
ETHYLENE
FUMIGANTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS