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Propylene Oxide Chemical Sampling Information
Propylene Oxide
General Description
    Synonyms: 1,2-Epoxy propane; Propene oxide; Methyloxidrane

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2215

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 75-56-9

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: TZ2975000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1280 127P

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Propylene Oxide: 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, 240 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 100 ppm, 240 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 100 ppm, 240 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 2 ppm, 4.75 mg/m3 TWA; Sensitizer; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens
Health Factors
    National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Group 2 - Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2B - Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 400 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin respiratory system; cough, sore throat; skin blisters, burns; skin sensitization; blindness on contact with liquid; (potential occupational carcinogen)

    Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15); CNS depression (HE7); Cumulative liver damage (HE3); mutagen---OSHA Select Carcinogen (HE2).

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system

    Notes: 1) Vapor/air mixtures are explosive. Odor warning is insufficient when toxic concentrations are present. 2) Can form adducts with DNA and proteins (e.g., hemoglobin). 3) Metabolized in several tissues by glutathione-S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase.

    Date Last Revised: 03/08/2004

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Propylene Oxide.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Propylene Oxide.
    • Czene, K., et al.: Analysis of DNA and hemoglobin adducts and sister chromatid exchanges in a human population occupationally exposed to propylene oxide: a pilot study. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 11(3): 315-318, 2002.
    • Faller, T.H., Csanady, G.A., Kreuzer, P.E., Bauer, C.M. and Filser, J.G.: Kinetics of propylene oxide metabolism in microsomes and cytosol of different organs from mouse, rat, and humans. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 172(1): 62-74, 2001.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Propylene Oxide. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1978-1980.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Anasorb 747 Tube (140/70 mg sections)
      analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
      maximum volume: 5 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 88)
      method classification: Fully Validated

    On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 163
      sampling information: 1 stroke
      upper measurement limit: 3.9%
      detection limit: approximately 0.03%
      overall uncertainty: 25% for 0.06 to 1.3%, 16% for 1.3 to 3.9%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 163L
      sampling information: 1 stroke
      upper measurement limit: 100 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 0.5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
      model/type: 8014-163SA
      sampling information: 0.5 or 1 stroke
      upper measurement limit: 5%
      detection limit: approximately 0.05%
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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  Chemical Sampling Information:
  Propylene Oxide
  General Description
  Exposure Limits
  Health Factors
  Monitoring
     
 
 

Page last updated: 01/31/2006

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