A proposed methodology for setting occupational exposure limits for hydrocarbon solvents

McKee, Richard H.; Medeiros, Arlean M.; Daughtrey, Wayne C.

doi:10.1080/15459620500299754

Cited by 35 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…However, because of the complex nature of these substances, it has at times been difficult to relate specific substances to specific recommendations, and several different national methods have been proposed. As a means of addressing the issues raised by the complex and variable nature of hydrocarbon solvents, methods were developed which could be used to calculate occupational exposure levels for complex solvents based on compositional information (ECETOC 1997, McKee et al 2005, TRGS 2007, UK HSE 1995. The underlying principles were similar to those for categorization and hazard classification, that is, constituents of similar physical and chemical properties were grouped, and toxicological information on representative substances (as well as contemporary occupational exposure recommendations) were used to define occupational exposure limits.…”

Section: Occupational Exposure Limitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the completion of the ECETOC report in 1997 which formed the basis for the later publication by McKee et al (2005) and the adoption of the methodology by the ACGIH ® , there have been a number of advances including the expansion of the toxicology data base as described elsewhere, changing views on recommended occupational exposure limits for some hydrocarbon solvent constituents, and the identification of some additional hydrocarbon solvent constituents that may require special attention. With those points in mind, the following modifications are suggested in order to calculate occupational exposure limits consistent with the ACGIH ® recommendations:…”

Section: Occupational Exposure Limitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the ACGIH TLV ® committee accepted the guidance value approach for use in calculating occupational exposure limits for complex hydrocarbon solvents, they required that the TLVs ® for specific hydrocarbon solvent constituents be respected. For those constituents with TLVs ® (Table 6), it is necessary to consider concentrations that may be present to determine whether or not the calculated occupational exposure limits ensure that the TLV ® for constituents are not exceeded.Since the completion of the ECETOC report in 1997 which formed the basis for the later publication by McKee et al (2005) and the adoption of the methodology by the ACGIH ® , there have been a number of advances including the expansion of the toxicology data base as described elsewhere, changing views on recommended occupational exposure limits for some hydrocarbon solvent constituents, and the identification of some additional hydrocarbon solvent constituents that may require special attention. With those points in mind, the following modifications are suggested in order to calculate occupational exposure limits consistent with the ACGIH ® recommendations:…”

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confidence: 99%

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Characterization of the toxicological hazards of hydrocarbon solvents

McKee

Adenuga

Carrillo

2015

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

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Hydrocarbon solvents are liquid hydrocarbon fractions derived from petroleum processing streams, containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms, with carbon numbers ranging from approximately C5-C20 and boiling between approximately 35-370°C. Many of the hydrocarbon solvents have complex and variable compositions with constituents of 4 types, alkanes (normal paraffins, isoparaffins, and cycloparaffins) and aromatics (primarily alkylated one-and tworing species). Because of the compositional complexity, hydrocarbon solvents are now identified by a nomenclature ("the naming convention") that describes them in terms of physical/ chemical properties and compositional elements. Despite the compositional complexity, most hydrocarbon solvent constituents have similar toxicological properties, and the overall toxicological hazards can be characterized in generic terms. To facilitate hazard characterization, the solvents were divided into 9 groups (categories) of substances with similar physical and chemical properties. Hydrocarbon solvents can cause chemical pneumonitis if aspirated into the lung, and those that are volatile can cause acute CNS effects and/or ocular and respiratory irritation at exposure levels exceeding occupational recommendations. Otherwise, there are few toxicologically important effects. The exceptions, n-hexane and naphthalene, have unique toxicological properties, and those solvents containing constituents for which classification is required under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) are differentiated by the substance names. Toxicological information from studies of representative substances was used to fulfill REACH registration requirements and to satisfy the needs of the OECD High Production Volume (HPV) initiative. As shown in the examples provided, the hazard characterization data can be used for hazard classification and for occupational exposure limit recommendations. Introduction Scope and purpose of the documentThe present document summarizes information on the physical/ chemical properties and toxicological hazards of hydrocarbon solvents and provides examples of the ways in which the information on hazard characterization can be used for hazard classification and to set occupational exposure limits. Many of the toxicological studies were published separately, but the results are summarized herein and referenced in the appendices.Hydrocarbon solvents are liquid hydrocarbon fractions that are primarily produced by the distillation of petroleum feed stocks or their synthetic analogs (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch derived materials), sometimes followed by additional processing steps such as solvent extraction, hydrodesulfurization, or hydrogenation. 1 Most hydrocarbon solvents are complex substances with variable compositions and are best described as UVCB 2 (unknown and variable composition) substances, but some are single constituent (mono-constituent) substances. The complex and variable nature of these solvents is the consequence of their manufacturing processes. In short, most hydroca...

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Section: Occupational Exposure Limitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Occupational Exposure Limitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of the toxicological hazards of hydrocarbon solvents

McKee

Adenuga

Carrillo

2015

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

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“…Some of these concepts used, although valid scientifically, do not appear acceptable for use under REACH. For example, REACH places the DNEL at its core and thus does not accommodate the use of other concepts that have been developed elsewhere to aid in the process of hazard and risk evaluation, for example, the threshold of toxicological concern (Kroes et al, 2000;Barlow et al, 2001), generic occupational exposure limits (Guest, 1998;McKee et al, 2005) or hazard banding (CIA, 1993;Naumann et al, 1996;Brooke, 1998). This lack of flexibility will create a challenge for REACH if it is to align with the risk advice currently being offered in some other areas of EU and national regulation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ECETOC approach to targeted risk assessment; lessons and experiences relevant to REACH

Money¹,

Jacobi

Penman³

et al. 2007

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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ECETOC has been developed an approach by which the health and environmental risks arising from the supply and use of chemicals can be quickly and reliably evaluated by chemical suppliers. The approach has been available as a web-based tool since 2004. During the development and implementation of the approach, ECETOC has consulted widely so that the approach is seen to meet the required levels of science while also meeting the differing needs of affected stakeholders. The consultation process has yielded a number of findings in terms of the considerations necessary for implementing successful riskinformed decision-making in a multi-stakeholder environment. Concurrently, as the European Commission's REACH legislative package has begun to take shape, it has also become apparent that the approach has a number of potential applications for aiding the process of risk assessment under REACH. This paper reviews these experiences within the broader context of the expectations that REACH places on chemical manufacturers and suppliers. In particular, it highlights the key role that REACH Exposure Scenarios have for evaluating, managing and communicating chemical risks.

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“…As discussed in our own article (3) as well as the letters from Kopstein (1) and Jaques, (2) regulatory actions governing the levels of benzene in hydrocarbon solvents were taken in the early 1980s, and, as a consequence, the benzene levels in these products have been below 0.1% (1000 ppm) for approximately 20 years. As employees of a company that manufactures hydrocarbon solvents, we have access to our internal data but not to data from other companies.…”

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confidence: 99%