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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Ethanol; Ethyl hydrate; Grain alcohol; Methyl carbinol; Jaysol; Anhydrol

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1060

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 64-17-5

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: KQ6300000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1170 127

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Ethyl Alcohol: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Exposure Limits and Health Effects

Exposure Limit

Limit Values

HE Codes

Health Factors and Target Organs

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - General Industry
See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1

1,000 ppm
(1,900 mg/m3)
TWA

HE7

Headache, fatigue

HE8

Stupor

HE16

Irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes

OSHA PEL - Construction Industry
See 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A

1,000 ppm
(1,900 mg/m3)
TWA

HE7

Headache, fatigue

HE8

Stupor

HE16

Irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes

OSHA PEL - Shipyard Employment
See 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards

1,000 ppm
(1,900 mg/m3)
TWA

HE7

Headache, fatigue

HE8

Stupor

HE16

Irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

1,000 ppm
(1,900 mg/m3)
TWA

HE5

Teratogenic and reproductive effects

HE16

Eye, respiratory, and skin irritation

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (2009)

1,000 ppm
(1,880 mg/m3)
STEL

A3

HE16

Irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes

CAL/OSHA PEL

1,000 ppm
(1,900 mg/m3)
TWA

HE16

Irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans [ethanol in alcoholic beverages])

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: 3,300 ppm (10% LEL)

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects

  1. Doubt has been expressed regarding whether developmental toxicity can be caused by occupational exposure to ethyl alcohol. Inhalation and dermal exposure in the workplace result in low blood alcohol concentrations (Irvine 2003).

Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • sampling media: Two Anasorb 747 Adsorbent Tubes (Front Tube 400mg / Second Tube 200mg)
    analytical solvent: (40:60) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
    maximum volume: 12 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 100)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: Separate and seal each tube after sampling.

  • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
    analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:2-Butanol
    alternative solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
    alternative solvent: (95:5) Methylene Chloride:Methanol
    maximum volume: 1 Liter   
    maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 1400 [25 KB PDF, 4 pages])
    method classification: Partially Validated
    note: Samples must be refrigerated for shipment to laboratory

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: AUER/MSA
    model/type: Ethanol-100, MSA P/N 804136, AUER P/N 5086-818
    sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
    upper measurement limit: 6000 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 50 ppm
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Dräger
    model/type: Alcohol 25/a, order no. 81 01631
    sampling information: 10 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 2000 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 10 ppm
    overall uncertainty: approximately 41%
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Gastec
    model/type: 112
    sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 7.5%
    detection limit: 0.004%
    overall uncertainty: 25% for 0.05 to 0.5%, 16% for 0.5 to 2.5%
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
    model/type: 8014-104SA
    sampling information: 1 stroke
    upper measurement limit: 5%
    detection limit: approximately 0.02%
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

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