- Standard Number:
OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
February 16, 1988
Mr. Desmond Bond
Desmond Bond, Inc.
Energy & Environment
Post Office Box 470
Chantilly, Virginia 22021
Dear Mr. Bond:
This is in further response to your letter of December 18, 1987, regarding hexavalent chromium in photocopier toners.
As we mentioned in our November 24, 1987, letter, an analysis of the photocopier toner indicated that hexavalent chromium was present at .003 percent and therefore did not, under the Hazard Communication Standard, have to be reported on a material safety data sheet. In addition, we asked you if you had evidence that a health hazard existed or if an Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) permissible exposure limit could be exceeded where toner chromium concentration is .003 percent.
Like you, OSHA is concerned about employee exposure to chromium. The evidence you presented in your letter, however, is not sufficient to support that a permissible exposure limit would be exceeded or that a health hazard exists at a chromium concentration of .003 percent. Additional support such as actual sampling data and animal and/or human studies demonstrating a carcinogenic effect (at a .003 percent concentration) would be needed before OSHA could require manufacturers to inform employees of the carcinogenic risk of chromium at a .003 percent concentration. Our review of the current scientific literature indicates that such evidence does not exist at this time.
In addition, present scientific evidence indicates that only hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic. Therefore, when evaluating the effects of chromium or its compounds only chromium in the hexavalent state would be considered carcinogenic.
You state that your client is concerned that his employees might be exposed to chromium. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 each employer is responsible for the safety and health of his or her employees. It would, therefore, be your clients responsibility to ensure that his employees are not being exposed above the permissible exposure limit (0.5 mg/m(3) for soluble chromic or chromous salts as chromium and 1 mg/m(3) for metal and insoluble salts). This responsibility applies even though an employer may not have received a material safety data sheet.
If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me again.
Sincerely,
John A. Pendergrass
Assistant Secretary