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Page last reviewed: 06/10/2011
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Carcinogens

Carcinogens are agents that can cause cancer. In industry, there are many potential exposures to carcinogens. Generally, workplace exposures are considered to be at higher levels than for public exposures. Material safety data sheets (MSDSs) should always contain an indication of carcinogenic potential.

Carcinogens are addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, the construction industry, and the identification, classification, and regulation of carcinogens.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to carcinogens.

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

The following standards apply to substances that are classified as carcinogens or potential carcinogens by the National Toxicity Program (NTP).

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

Identification, Classification, and Regulation of Carcinogens (29 CFR 1990)

  • 1990.101, Scope

  • 1990.103, Definitions

  • 1990.106, Amendments to this policy

  • 1990.111, General statement of regulatory policy

  • 1990.112, Classification of potential carcinogens

  • 1990.143, General provisions for the use of human and animal data

Directives

  • Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard. CPL 02-02-038 [CPL 2-2.38D], (1998, March 20). Establishes policies and provides clarifications to ensure uniform enforcement of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).

  • Sample Material Safety Data Sheet. CPL 02-02-039 [CPL 2-2.39], (1986, March 27). Establishes procedures for national distribution of a nonmandatory material safety data sheet (MSDS) form that is consistent with the requirements for MSDSs in the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).

  • Search all available directives.

Standard Interpretations

Hazard Recognition

Many workers are unaware of the potential hazards in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to injury. The following references aid in recognizing these hazards and the health effects associated with carcinogens in the workplace.

Possible Solutions

The following references provide possible solutions for carcinogen hazards in the workplace.

Exposure Evaluation

The following references aid in evaluating occupational exposures and the health effects of carcinogens.

  • OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (1999, January 20).
  • Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Contains data for more than 270 substances.

  • Proposed Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Describes the framework to be followed in developing an analysis of carcinogen risk and evaluating the nature and magnitude of the cancer hazard from suspect carcinogens.

  • TOXNET: Toxicology Data Network. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Provides a a cluster of databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, environmental health, and toxic releases.
  • Health Based Exposure Guidelines Committee. Chemical Exposure Guidelines. 9th ed. San Jose, CA: Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health, (1995).

Additional Information

Training


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