NIOSH Comments to DOL Evaluation of the OMB Comments on OSHA's Draft STEL for Ethylene Oxide by L. F. Mazzuckelli, July 18, 1984

摘要

The testimony concerns the view of NIOSH regarding exposures of workers to ethylene-oxide (75218) (EtO). NIOSH continues to believe that a short term exposure limit for EtO is both practical and necessary. The conclusion is based on careful examination of the materials supplied by OSHA. The practicality of a short term exposure limit can be described by examining how workers are most likely to be exposed and whether or not their exposure can be reasonably controlled. The principle group most likely to be exposed are hospital workers and those workers in other industry sectors who operate sterilizing equipment. Studies have indicated that workers using such equipment usually perform these tasks once a day and that they require about 5 minutes of time to complete the tasks. While the 8 hour time weighted average exposure would not exceed the 1 part per million (ppm) limit, it can be expected that the average instantaneous exposure (2 seconds) could exceed 435 ppm.