Abstract:

On June 22, 1984, OSHA published a final standard for ethylene oxide
(EtO) that established a permissible exposure limit of 1 part EtO
per million parts of air determined as an 8-houre time-weighted
average (TWA) concentration (49 FR 25734). The standard also
includes provision for methods of exposure control, personal
protective equipment, measurement of employee exposure, training,
signs and labels, medical surveillance, regulated areas, emergencies
and recordkeeping. The basis for this action was determination by
OSHA, based on human and animal data, that exposure to EtO presents
a carcinogenic, mutagenic, genotoxic, reproductive, neurologic, and
sensitization hazard to workers. During the rulemaking proceedings
that led to the establishment of the 1 ppm TWA, the issue of whether
there was a need for a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for worker
protection from EtO was raised. OSHA reserved decision on the
adoption of a STEL, at the conclusion of the rulemaking in order to
permit peer review of OSHA's preliminary decision and to review more
fully the arguments and pertinent data regarding the STEL issue. To
date, the comments of about half of the peer reviewers on the data
in the record pertaining to the STEL have been received. This notice
solicits public comment both on the reviewer's analysis of the
available data and on the issue of whether OSHA should adopt a STEL.
Comments in response to this notice must be submitted by November 5,
1984.