OSHA's former PEL for allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) was 10 ppm (45 mg/m3) as a ceiling. OSHA proposed to revise this limit to a TWA of 5 ppm, and to add a 15-minute STEL of 10 ppm and a skin notation, consistent with the recommended limits of the ACGIH (1986/Ex. 1-3). NIOSH (Ex. 8-47, Table N1) concurred with this proposal. In the final rule, OSHA is establishing the air contaminant limits as proposed, but is not establishing a skin notation for this substance (see Section VI.C.18 for a discussion of the Agency's policy on skin notations). Allyl glycidyl ether is a colorless liquid of characteristic, but not unpleasant, odor.
In limited human exposure studies, AGE has been demonstrated to cause dermatitis and eye irritation; the substance produces moderate primary skin irritation and severe eye irritation in animals (Hine, Kodama, Wellington et al. 1956/Ex. 1-331). At 260 ppm, animals experienced irritation of the eyes and respiratory distress; at higher levels (e.g., 400, 600, and 900 ppm), corneal opacities and severe respiratory difficulties occurred (Hine, Kodama, Wellington et al. 1956/Ex. 1-331). The percutaneous LD(50) for rabbits is 2.55 g/kg. Intragastric administration of AGE in mice, rats, and rabbits has also been demonstrated to cause depression of the central nervous system (Hine, Kodama, Wellington et al. 1956/Ex. 1-331).
In humans, skin sensitization occurs readily (Hine and Rowe 1963a, as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 20). In addition to primary irritation and sensitization, the potential exists for cross-sensitization with other epoxy agents (ACGIH 1986/ Ex. 1-3, p. 20).
Sax and Lewis (Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, 7th ed., 1989) report the dermal LD(50) in rabbits to be 2.25 g/kg; there is no other evidence of systemic poisoning occurring from skin absorption in humans or other animal species. Therefore, in accordance with the general policy described in Section VI.C.18 of this preamble, OSHA is not establishing a skin notation for AGE. Other than those submitted by NIOSH, OSHA received no comments on its proposed revision of the exposure limit for AGE.
In the final rule, OSHA is establishing PELs of 5 ppm (8-hour TWA) and 10 ppm (15-minute STEL) for allyl glycidyl ether. OSHA concludes that these combined limits will reduce the significant risks of sensitization and primary irritation to which employees could otherwise be exposed. OSHA considers these adverse effects material impairments of health and functional capacity.