OSHA Sets Peak for Ethylene Oxide

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a maximum exposure to ethylene oxide of 5 parts per million in air (ppm) averaged over a 15-minute period. This additional restriction complements the ethylene oxide permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day, previously set in 1984.  This new short-term exposure limit will protect workers exposed to high levels of ethylene oxide.  The final amendments to this standard will be effective on June 6, 1988 and compliance is required by September 6, 1988.  Details include:

 

1. Initial exposure determinations, and periodic monitoring, at least quarterly, when the 5 ppm excursion limit is exceeded.
2. A written program, determining exposure reduction procedures, must be implemented if the excursion limit is indeed exceeded.
3. Respirators may have to be used if workers are exposed past the 5 ppm excursion limit.
4. Regulation of areas in which ethylene oxide might be used in excess of 15 ppm over a 15-minute period.
5. The prohibition of employee rotation as a method of compliance.
6. Labeling of containers that contain significant amounts of ethylene oxide with the new excursion limit.

 

Ethylene oxide is used as a sterilant in medically related procedures, and has been used as a fumigant in many museums.  It is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant, and can cause central nervous system depression.  It is a human carcinogen, and also causes nerve and reproductive damage in both men and women.  This new standard will protect conservators exposed to high levels of ethylene oxide.  The 25 states with approved state OSHA plans are expected to approve a comparable standard within the next 6 months.

 

 Art Hazard News, Volume 11, No. 4, 1988

This article was originally printed for Art Hazard News, © copyright Center for Safety in the Arts 1988. It appears on CAR courtesy of the Health in the Arts Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, who have curated a collection of these articles from their archive which are still relevant to artists today.