Propylene oxide
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 75–56–9
NIOSH REL: None established; NIOSH considers propylene oxide to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].
Current OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (240 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: 20 ppm (50 mg/m3) TWA
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm (48 mg/m3) TWA
Description of substance: Colorless liquid with a benzene-like odor.
LEL: . 2.3% (10% LEL, 2,300 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 2,000 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the dog 4-hour LCLO of 2,005 ppm and the mouse 4-hour LC50 of 1,740 ppm [Jacobson et al. 1956 cited by NIOSH 1976].
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50 (ppm) | LCLo (ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF) | Derived value |
| Mouse Dog Rat G. pig Rat |
Jacobson et al. 1956 Jacobson et al. 1956 Jacobson et al. 1956 Rowe et al. 1956 Smyth et al. 1969 |
1,740 ----- 4,000 ----- LC67: 4,000 |
----- 2,005 ----- 4,000 ----- |
4 hr 4 hr 4 hr 4 hr 4 hr |
3,480 ppm (2.0) 4,010 ppm (2.0) 8,000 ppm (2.0) 8,000 ppm (2.0) 8,000 ppm (2.0) |
348 ppm 401 ppm 800 ppm 800 ppm 800 ppm |
Lethal dose data:
| Species | Reference | Route | LD50 (mg/kg) | LDLo (mg/kg) | Adjusted LD | Derived value |
| G. pig Rat Mouse Rat G. pig |
Gig Tr Prof Zabol 1981 Pugaeva et al. 1970 Pugaeva et al. 1970 Smyth et al. 1941 Smyth et al. 1941 |
oral oral oral oral oral |
660 380 440 1,140 690 |
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- |
1,909 ppm 1,099 ppm 1,273 ppm 3,298 ppm 4,830 ppm |
191 ppm 110 ppm 127 ppm 330 ppm 483 ppm |
Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
| Revised IDLH: 400 ppm Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for propylene oxide is 400 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Jacobson et al. 1956]. [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for propylene oxide at any detectable concentration.] |
REFERENCES:
1. Gig Tr Prof Zabol [1981]; 46(7):76 (in Russian).
2. Jacobson KH, Hackley EB, Feinsilver L [1956]. The toxicity of inhaled ethylene oxide and propylene oxide vapors. Acute and chronic toxicity of ethylene oxide and acute toxicity of propylene oxide. AMA Arch Ind Health 13(3):237-244.
3. NIOSH [1976]. TZ29750. Propane, 1,2-epoxy-. In: Registry of toxic effects of chemical substances, 1976 ed. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 76-191, p. 968.
4. Pugaeva VP, Klochkova SE, et al. [1970]. Experimental materials on hygienic reglamentation of propylene oxide. Gig Tr Prof Zabol 14(11):55-57 (in Russian).
5. Rowe VK, Hollingsworth RL, Oyen F, McCollister DD, Spencer HC [1956]. Toxicity of propylene oxide determined on experimental animals. AMA Arch Ind Health 13:228-236.
6. Smyth HF Jr, Carpenter CP, Weil CS, Pozzani UC, Striegel JA, Nycum JS [1969]. Range-finding toxicity data: list VII. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 30(5):470-476.
7. Smyth HF, Seaton J, Fisher L [1941]. The single dose toxicity of some glycols and derivatives. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 23:259-268.