Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB): Derivation of Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) Values

Title: Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB): Derivation of Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) Values [PDF - 2,308 KB]

Cross-Clearance Agencies:   None

Anticipated Date of Dissemination:   October 2010

Subject of planned Report:  Derivation of IDLH values

Purpose of Planned Report:  Provide guidance and overview of the protocol used to derive IDLH values

Type of Dissemination:  Highly Influential

Timing of Review:  September - November 2010

Primary Disciplines or Expertise:  Human health risk assessment, toxicology, industrial hygiene, health sciences

Type of Review:  Individual

Anticipated Number of Reviewers:  3—5

Reviewers Selected by:  NIOSH

Public Nominations Requested for Reviewers:  No

Opportunities for the Public to Comment:  Yes, Written comments to peer reviewers, October 2010
Publication of a request for public comment, October 2010

Peer Reviewers Provided with Public Comments before Their Review: Yes

Peer Reviewers Information:

The purpose of the technical review is to review the technical validity of the information, and not matters of style or usage. If there are errors of fact, unsubstantiated claims, evidence of careless experimental work, inclusion of too much information already in the literature, or statements that are inaccurate, please note such in your review comments.

• Should additional information or guidance relating to the derivation of IDLH values be included within the document? If so, what?
• Do the data cited within the draft CIB support the objectives of the document?
• Does the new protocol outlined in the draft CIB support the development of health protective IDLH values in light of the current understanding of the toxicological data and application of the principles of risk assessment?
• The primary goal of an IDLH value is to inform respirator protection decisions based on the potential toxic effects of a substance. Thus, the draft CIB has been designed to develop IDLH value based on health (i.e. toxicity) data, since that is the effect that is addressed via respiratory protection. Should safety considerations [i.e., flammability, lower explosive limits (LEL)] be considered as the basis of IDLH values?
• If safety considerations do serve as the basis of an IDLH value, what impact will this have on the selection of respirator protection decisions?

Reviewers:

1. James V. Bruckner
   Academic and Professional Credentials: Ph.D.
   Organizational Affiliation: University of Georgia; College of Pharmacy; Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences; Athens, GA
   Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Toxicology; Pharmacology
   Recommended by: NIOSH
2. Daniel Krewski
   Academic and Professional Credentials: Ph.D., M.H.A., M.Sc.
   Organizational Affiliation: University of Ottawa; Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine; Samuel McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
   Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: risk assessment; Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology; Biostatistics
   Recommended by: NIOSH
3. Harihara M. Mehendale
   Academic and Professional Credentials: Ph.D.
   Organizational Affiliation: University of Louisiana at Monroe; Graduate Studies and Training Program in Toxicology; Monroe, LA
   Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Toxicology
   Recommended by: NIOSH
4. Richard B. Schlesinger
   Academic and Professional Credentials: Ph.D.
   Organizational Affiliation: Pace University; Dyson College of Arts and Sciences; Biology and Health Sciences Department; Graduate Program in Environmental Science; Pleasantville, NY
   Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Environmental Sciences; Inhalation/Respiratory Toxicology
   Recommended by: NIOSH