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Dioxane Chemical Sampling Information
Dioxane

General Description
    Synonyms: Diethylene Dioxide; 1,4-Dioxane; Diethylene ether; Dioxan; p-Dioxane; 1,4-Diethyleneoxide

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1010

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 123-91-1

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: JG8225000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1165 127

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Dioxane: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 100 ppm, 360 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 100 ppm, 360 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 100 ppm, 360 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 20 ppm, 72 mg/m3 TWA; Skin; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans; (TLV listed under 1,4-Dioxane)

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 1 ppm; 3.6 mg/m3 Ceiling (30 Minutes), Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens
Health Factors
    National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group B2, probable human carcinogen

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 500 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, nose, throat; cough, sore throat, shortness of breath; dizziness, drowsiness, headache, unconsciousness; abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting; liver damage; kidney failure; [potential occupational carcinogen].

    Health Effects: Known animal carcinogen, tumor promoter (HE2); Cumulative liver and kidney damage (HE3); Irritation-Eyes-Nose, Throat---Mild (HE16); Narcosis (HE8); Explosive, Flammable (HE18)

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys

    Notes:
    1. Vapor/air mixtures can be explosive. Dioxane may form explosive peroxides during storage.
    2. Dioxane is an OSHA Select Carcinogen.
    3. The target organs for its carcinogenicity in animals include the liver and the nasal turbinates, but the mechanism is unknown.
    4. The elimination half-life of dioxane in humans is about one hour at low levels in air (≤ 50 ppm), and its primary metabolite in urine is 2-hydroxyethoxyacetic acid.
    5. Dioxane was detected at least twice in at least one drinking water source in California during the period, 2002-2004. Its notification level in California is 0.003 milligrams per liter.

    Date Last Revised: 11/22/2005

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Dioxane.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): 1,4-Dioxane.
    • California Department of Health Services-Drinking Water Program: Drinking Water Notification Levels, 2005.
    • Nannelli, A., De Rubertis, A., Longo, V. and Gervasi, P.G.: Effects of dioxane on cytochrome P450 enzymes in liver, kidney, lung and nasal mucosa of rat. Arch. Toxicol. 79(2): 74-82, 2005.
    • No Author: 1,4-Dioxane, CAS No. 123-91-1. Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program, 2005.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Dioxane. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 965-967.
    • Stickney, J.A., et al.: An updated evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of 1,4-dioxane. Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 38(2): 183-195, 2003.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
      analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
      alternate solvent: (95:5) Methylene Chloride:Methanol
      maximum volume: 10 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 1602)
      method classification: Fully Validated

    Wipe Sampling Method:

    • sampling media: charcoal pad
      note: seal in glass vial for shipment
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Page last updated: 09/05/2006

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