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NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:Organic Solvents |
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Solvents are substances that are capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances. Organic solvents are carbon-based solvents (i.e., they contain carbon in their molecular structure). Millions of U.S. workers are exposed to organic solvents that are used in such products as paints, varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, glues, and degreasing/cleaning agents, and in the production of dyes, polymers, plastics, textiles, printing inks, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals. Many organic solvents are recognized by NIOSH as carcinogens (e.g., benzene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene), reproductive hazards (e.g., 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-methoxyethanol, methyl chloride), and neurotoxins (e.g., n-hexane, tetrachloroethylene, toluene). Many different classes of chemicals can be used as organic solvents, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, amines, esters, ethers, ketones, and nitrated or chlorinated hydrocarbons. NIOSHTIC-2 SearchNIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH. After clicking on the link above, users can search within the results generated, or create new searches. NIOSHTIC-2 search results on organic solvents. AlertsAlerts briefly present new information about occupational illnesses, injuries, and deaths. Alerts urgently request assistance in preventing, solving, and controlling newly identified occupational hazards. 2-Nitropropane (2-NP) Preventing Adverse Health Effects from Exposure to Dimethylformamide (DMF) Preventing Death from Excessive Exposure to Chlorofluorocarbon 113 (CFC-113) Criteria Documents (Criteria for a Recommended Standard)Criteria documents are developed and recommended by NIOSH for preventing disease and hazardous conditions in the workplace. These documents generally contain a critical review of the scientific and technical information available on the prevalence of hazards, the existence of safety and health risks, and the adequacy of methods to identify and control hazards. Alkanes (C5-C8) Benzene Benzenethiol Carbon Tetrachloride Chlorobenzene Chloroform Cyclohexanethiol 2-Diethylaminoethanol Ethylene Dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane) Ethyl Ether Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Acetate Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Acetate Glycidyl Ethers Isopropyl Alcohol Ketones Metalworking Fluids Methyl Alcohol Methylene Chloride Phenol Propylene Glycol Ethers and Their Acetates Refined Petroleum Solvents 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Thiols, n-Alkane Mono Toluene 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (Methyl Chloroform) Trichloroethylene Xylene Current Intelligence Bulletins (CIBs)CIBs review and evaluate new and emerging information about occupational hazards. A CIB may draw attention to a previously unrecognized hazard, report new data on a known hazard, or disseminate information about hazard controls. Carcinogenic Effects of Exposure to Propylene Oxide CIB#51 Ethylene Dibromide and Disulfiram Toxic InteractionCIB#23 Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)CIB#3 Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) (Revised) CIB#37 Ethylene Dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane) CIB#25 Glycol Ethers: 2-Methoxyethanol and 2-EthoxyethanolCIB#39 Hexamethylphosphoric Triamide (HMPA)CIB#6 Monohalomethanes: Methyl Chloride CH3Cl, Methyl Bromide CH3Br Methyl Iodide CH3ICIB#43 Organic Solvent NeurotoxicityCIB#48 Other NIOSH PublicationsNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards Rubber Products Manufacturing Industry: Special NIOSH Hazard Review Related NIOSH Topics
Agriculture Other ResourcesAgricultural pesticide protective equipment Current Trends Organic Solvents in the Workplace (MMWR May 15, 1987 / 36(18); 282-283) Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs) Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs) International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) An ICSC summarizes essential health and safety information on chemicals for their use at the "shop floor" level by workers and employers in factories, agriculture, construction and other work places. NORA Priority Research AreasEnvironment and Workforce: Mixed ExposuresMixed exposures is one of five NORA priorities areas that fall in the category of work environment and workforce. Emerging technologies pose the challenge to anticipate and prevent the hazards with which they may be associated. NIOSH Worker Notification Program |
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