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Occupational Safety and Health Administration Proposed Rule. Occupational Exposure to Ethylene Oxide.

Millar JD

NIOSH 1983 Jul:10 pages

00133590

The toxic effects of ethylene-oxide (75218) (ETO) are reviewed. The mutagenic and cytogenic effects of ETO are discussed. A study is cited in which the frequency of chromosome aberrations increased in cynomolgus-monkeys in direct proportion to the ETO doses. Studies are also cited which show that human genetic material is damaged by exposure to ETO. It is noted that reports of human genetic damage are consistent with reports of experimentally induced genetic damage in plants, microorganisms, and animals. The relationship between ETO exposure and adverse reproductive effects is discussed. The carcinogenic effects of ETO are considered. Animal studies have clearly demonstrated that ETO is carcinogenic. A study is cited that shows that chronic exposure to 50 or 100 parts per million (ppm) ETO for 2 years caused mononuclear cell leukemia and peritoneal mesothelioma in rats. It is estimated that exposure to exposed workers. The NIOSH recommendations regarding ETO exposure are discussed. NIOSH has concluded that the risk from exposure to controls to the lowest possible concentration.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Testimony; Safety-research; Toxic-vapors; Exposure-limits; Animal-studies; Occupational-exposure; Pathogenicity; Industrial-hazards; Permissible-concentration-limits; Standards;

75-21-8;

19830720

1983

PB84-182039

A02

NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 10 pages, 25 references