| Abstract |
The testimony summarizes comments made by NIOSH concerning the proposed rulemaking on health and safety standards related to occupational exposures to 2-methoxyethanol (109864), 2-ethoxyethanol (110805), and their acetates, 2-methoxyethylacetate (110496) and 2-ethoxyethylacetate (111159). The comments concern specific studies which OSHA should consider in assessing the potential health risks, especially the reproductive and developmental effects, of exposure to these compounds. The testimony also addresses which available data, such as medical records or unpublished studies should be included in the decision making process by OSHA. Animal toxicity data for glycol ethers other than these are cited in the bibliography as are articles related to the dermal absorption studies and potential adverse health effects resulting from dermal exposure. Studies dealing with the combined effects of inhalation and dermal exposure are cited along with information related to estimating the significance of risk at the current exposure level, mathematical models most appropriate to quantify the risks, margins of safety, quantitative risk assessment methods, selection of animal species and route and dose levels for administration, exposure period, dose/response effect, factors involved in setting permissible exposure limits, production and control systems, substitute chemicals, protective equipment, number of workers exposed, and medical surveillance. |
