National Occupational Exposure Survey
(1981 - 1983)

Estimated Percentages of Controlled and Uncontrolled Potential Exposures to Specific Agents by Occupation within 2-Digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)*

Agent Name ASCORBIC ACID, L-
CAS # 50-81-7
RTECS # CI7650000 
Agent Code M0462

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES (SIC 07)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
019 MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
403
086 VETERINARIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2,015
208 HEALTH TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
403
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
403
487 ANIMAL CARETAKERS, EXCEPT FARM 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
806
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
4,030
FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS (SIC 20)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
083 MEDICAL SCIENTISTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
46
223 BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIANS 77.5%
0.0%
0.0%
22.5%
0.0%
942
364 TRAFFIC, SHIPPING, AND RECEIVING CLERKS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1,147
444 MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATION OCCUPATIONS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
482
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
4,549
469 PERSONAL SERVICE OCCUPATIONS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1,202
547 SPECIFIED MECHANICS AND REPAIRERS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
520
754 PACKAGING AND FILLING MACHINE OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2,644
756 MIXING AND BLENDING MACHINE OPERATORS 77.9%
1.4%
2.8%
16.3%
1.5%
6,477
768 CRUSHING AND GRINDING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
91
777 MISCELLANEOUS MACHINE OPERATORS, N.E.C. 94.4%
0.0%
5.6%
0.0%
0.0%
1,702
779 MACHINE OPERATORS, NOT SPECIFIED 0.0%
50.0%
50.0%
0.0%
0.0%
5,212
796 PRODUCTION INSPECTORS, CHECKERS, AND EXAMINERS 96.5%
0.0%
0.0%
3.5%
0.0%
5,641
859 MISCELLANEOUS MATERIAL MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATORS 0.0%
50.0%
50.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1,095
877 STOCK HANDLERS AND BAGGERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
313
888 HAND PACKERS AND PACKAGERS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
847
889 LABORERS, EXCEPT CONSTRUCTION 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
521
SUBTOTAL 68.9%
9.7%
14.1%
6.9%
0.2%
33,431
LUMBER AND WOOD PRODUCTS (SIC 24)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
715 MISCELLANEOUS METAL, PLASTIC, STONE, AND GLASS WORKING MACHINE OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
143
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
143
FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (SIC 25)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
59
SUBTOTAL 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
59
PAPER AND ALLIED PRODUCTS (SIC 26)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
222
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
222
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (SIC 27)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
189 PHOTOGRAPHERS 30.3%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
69.7%
983
195 EDITORS AND REPORTERS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
102
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
228
379 GENERAL OFFICE CLERKS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
319
734 PRINTING MACHINE OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2,754
735 PHOTOENGRAVERS AND LITHOGRAPHERS 47.1%
0.0%
0.0%
52.9%
0.0%
559
736 TYPESETTERS AND COMPOSITORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1,198
774 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS MACHINE OPERATORS 66.7%
0.0%
33.3%
0.0%
0.0%
2,143
SUBTOTAL 75.5%
0.0%
8.6%
7.5%
8.2%
8,286
CHEMICALS AND ALLIED PRODUCTS (SIC 28)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
036 INSPECTORS AND COMPLIANCE OFFICERS, EXC. CONSTRUCTION 0.0%
0.0%
66.7%
33.3%
0.0%
285
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
78
078 BIOLOGICAL AND LIFE SCIENTISTS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
19
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 10.2%
0.0%
89.8%
0.0%
0.0%
3,646
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
512
368 WEIGHERS, MEASURERS, AND CHECKERS 0.0%
23.0%
46.1%
30.9%
0.0%
247
444 MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATION OCCUPATIONS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
106
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 0.0%
3.2%
93.6%
3.2%
0.0%
393
547 SPECIFIED MECHANICS AND REPAIRERS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
41
549 NOT SPECIFIED MECHANICS AND REPAIRERS 38.3%
15.4%
30.9%
15.4%
0.0%
2,583
633 SUPERVISORS, PRODUCTION OCCUPATIONS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
19
696 STATIONARY ENGINEERS 0.0%
19.0%
61.9%
19.0%
0.0%
1,994
754 PACKAGING AND FILLING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
467
756 MIXING AND BLENDING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
11.8%
50.6%
37.6%
0.0%
1,282
759 PAINTING AND PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
78
766 FURNACE, KILN, AND OVEN OPERATORS, EXC. FOOD 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
478
777 MISCELLANEOUS MACHINE OPERATORS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
213
779 MACHINE OPERATORS, NOT SPECIFIED 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
180
796 PRODUCTION INSPECTORS, CHECKERS, AND EXAMINERS 0.0%
25.0%
50.0%
25.0%
0.0%
25
797 PRODUCTION TESTERS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
19
859 MISCELLANEOUS MATERIAL MOVING EQUIPMENT OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
156
878 MACHINE FEEDERS AND OFFBEARERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
213
888 HAND PACKERS AND PACKAGERS 33.5%
0.0%
18.4%
9.2%
38.9%
1,584
889 LABORERS, EXCEPT CONSTRUCTION 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
165
SUBTOTAL 16.6%
6.7%
56.5%
15.7%
4.1%
14,783
PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS (SIC 29)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
322
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
517
SUBTOTAL 61.6%
0.0%
38.3%
0.0%
0.0%
839
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (SIC 34)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
327
SUBTOTAL 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
327
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (SIC 35)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
189 PHOTOGRAPHERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
92
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
92
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (SIC 36)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
189 PHOTOGRAPHERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
39
696 STATIONARY ENGINEERS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2
774 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS MACHINE OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
33
SUBTOTAL 97.2%
0.0%
2.7%
0.0%
0.0%
74
TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT (SIC 37)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
238
579 PAINTERS, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
297
774 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS MACHINE OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
3
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
538
INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED PRODUCTS (SIC 38)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
785 ASSEMBLERS 0.0%
0.0%
50.0%
0.0%
50.0%
347
SUBTOTAL 0.0%
0.0%
50.0%
0.0%
50.0%
347
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (SIC 47)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
487 ANIMAL CARETAKERS, EXCEPT FARM 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
258
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
258
PERSONAL SERVICES (SIC 72)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
458 HAIRDRESSERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS 5.1%
0.0%
94.9%
0.0%
0.0%
438,514
SUBTOTAL 5.1%
0.0%
94.9%
0.0%
0.0%
438,514
BUSINESS SERVICES (SIC 73)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 97.4%
0.0%
2.0%
0.7%
0.0%
1,069
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
617
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
87
SUBTOTAL 98.4%
0.0%
1.2%
0.4%
0.0%
1,773
HEALTH SERVICES (SIC 80)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
069 PHYSICISTS AND ASTRONOMERS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
7
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 51.0%
0.0%
2.4%
44.9%
1.7%
484
078 BIOLOGICAL AND LIFE SCIENTISTS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
114
083 MEDICAL SCIENTISTS 2.2%
0.0%
0.0%
48.9%
48.9%
255
084 PHYSICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
10
095 REGISTERED NURSES 40.8%
0.0%
59.2%
0.0%
0.0%
58,163
096 PHARMACISTS 36.4%
0.0%
32.0%
29.5%
2.2%
12,853
097 DIETITIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
415
098 INHALATION THERAPISTS 86.2%
0.0%
9.6%
0.0%
4.2%
3,689
203 CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS 31.9%
0.0%
27.0%
30.0%
11.1%
10,347
206 RADIOLOGIC TECHNICIANS 10.3%
0.0%
53.4%
0.0%
36.3%
294
208 HEALTH TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
927
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
4,166
223 BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
333
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 74.1%
0.0%
0.0%
2.1%
23.8%
1,322
444 MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATION OCCUPATIONS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
876
446 HEALTH AIDES, EXCEPT NURSING 83.9%
0.0%
8.9%
7.2%
0.0%
5,605
447 NURSING AIDES, ORDERLIES, AND ATTENDANTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2,011
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
591
SUBTOTAL 48.4%
0.0%
41.9%
7.5%
2.0%
102,462
TOTAL 18.3%
0.7%
78.1%
2.1%
0.6%
606,178
RELATED PAGES: Estimates by SIC, Estimates by Occupation, Estimates by Occupation within SIC
ABBREVIATIONS:
Resp Prot = Respiratory Protection
Other PPE = Personal Protective Equipment Other Than Respiratory Protection
Vent = Ventilation

*(1) The estimates for each occupation apply only to the 3- and 4-digit SICs surveyed within the 2-digit SIC where the agent was observed. Not all SICs were surveyed, and not all agents were observed in all surveyed SICs. (2) When using the estimated numbers of exposures, standard errors associated with estimates should be considered. (3) Potential exposures to a chemical agent are categorized as actual (i.e., the surveyor observed the use of the specific agent) or tradename (i.e., the surveyor observed the use of a tradename product known to contain the specific agent). The estimates presented in the table combine both categories. (4) For a given occupation, the estimated number of potential exposures is not necessarily equal to the estimated total number of potentially exposed workers. For example, a worker may be exposed to the same agent from multiple sources; thus, it is not the worker that is controlled but the exposure. (5) The presence or absence of controls does not imply that controls are necessary or required. The estimates and the controls are strictly based on observations associated with potential exposures.

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