NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Testimony on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Proposed Rule: Occupational Exposure to Benzene, Part 1, to DOL (Department of Labor), by J. Donald Millar, March 1986

摘要

The testimony concerned the proposed rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding occupational exposure to benzene (71432). The possibility that the proposed 1 part per million (ppm) benzene standard did not substantially reduce significant risk and whether a different limit should be set were discussed. The possibility of using a 1ppm Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) with a 40 hour time weighted average instead of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) as proposed was evaluated. The risk of developing leukemia or any other adverse health effects from exposure to benzene at the current OSHA limit was compared to the risk from exposure to alternative limits of less than 10ppm. Engineering controls were considered to be the preferred method of reducing exposure to benzene. Types of respirators for use with benzene, and methods for testing respirators were discussed. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has indicated that inclusion of a short term exposure limit must be based on whether adverse health effects have been associated with peak exposures and whether or not such exposure can be controlled. Information was provided on the level of benzene contamination in commonly used solvents. Methods for determining compliance with a benzene exposure limit of less than 10ppm were mentioned. Provisions for medical examinations and other worker related safety practices were discussed.