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NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:

Organic Solvents

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 Search

NIOSHTIC-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.

Alerts


Alerts 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)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 80-142
As a confirmed animal carcinogen, 2-NP has the potential to cause cancer in humans. This document summarizes the cancer studies of 2-NP in laboratory animals and its toxic effects in humans.

Preventing Adverse Health Effects from Exposure to Dimethylformamide (DMF)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-105
This describes engineering controls, good work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for controlling exposures to DMF by inhalation and skin contact.

Preventing Death from Excessive Exposure to Chlorofluorocarbon 113 (CFC-113)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 89-109
A number of workers have died recently as a result of exposure to CFC-113 in confined spaces or in areas with insufficient ventilation. These workers were apparently unaware that CFC-113 might generate vapor concentrations sufficient to cause death by cardiac arrhythmia or asphyxiation.

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.

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.

Other NIOSH Publications

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149
Exposure limits, Respirator Recommendations, First Aid, more...
The NIOSH Pocket Guide is intended as a source of general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes for workers, employers, and occupational health professionals. The NPG does not contain an analysis of all pertinent data, rather it presents key information and data in abbreviated or tabular form for chemicals or substance groupings (e.g. cyanides, fluorides, manganese compounds) that are found in the work environment. The information found in the NPG should help users recognize and control occupational chemical hazards.

Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH Publications No. 81-123
These guidelines contain technical information about chemical hazards to workers, employers, and safety and health professionals.

Rubber Products Manufacturing Industry: Special NIOSH Hazard Review
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 93-106
Excess deaths from bladder, stomach, lung, hematopoietic, and other cancers have occurred among workers involved in the manufacture of rubber products. These workers may also risk adverse respiratory effects, dermatologic effects, reproductive effects, injuries, and repetitive trauma disorders.

Related NIOSH Topics

Agriculture
Asphalt Fumes
Carbonless Copy Paper
Chemical Safety
Drycleaning
Isocyanates
Metalworking Fluids
Pesticide Illness & Injury Surveillance
Skin Exposures & Effects
Semiconductor Manufacturing

Other Resources

Agricultural pesticide protective equipment
External link http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000801-d000900/d000895/d000895.html

Current Trends Organic Solvents in the Workplace (MMWR May 15, 1987 / 36(18); 282-283)
External Link: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000918.htm

Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)
This publication documents the criteria and information sources that have been used by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to determine immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLHs).

Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)
Search or request an HHE. An HHE is a study of a workplace. It is done to learn whether workers are exposed to hazardous materials or harmful conditions. This site lets you know about the program and how to ask for NIOSH help. It also has links to reports from thousands of HHEs done by NIOSH.

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 Areas—Environment and Workforce: Mixed Exposures
Mixed 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
NIOSH notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these research studies on preventing illnesses and injuries in the workplace. This site contains indexes to the notification materials listed by type of work exposure and the industry group.


Organic Solvents

worker on machine/lab bottles/man carrying solvent

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