Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol Toxicity
What Are the U.S. Standards for Ethylene Glycol Exposure Levels?
Course: WB 1103
CE Original Date: October 3, 2007
CE Renewal Date: October 3, 2010
CE Expiration Date: October 3, 2012
Download Printer-Friendly version [PDF - 496 KB]
Learning Objectives |
After completing this section, you will be able to
- identify the ACGIH ceiling exposure limit for ethylene glycol, and
- identify the EPA guidelines for ethylene glycol in drinking water.
|
Introduction |
The government has developed regulations and guidelines for ethylene glycol. These are designed to protect the public from potential adverse health effects. |
Workplace |
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for ethylene glycol 2 , OSHA did enact a ceiling limit of 125 mg/m3 (50 ppm) in 1989, but that level, along with 375 others, was vacated for procedural reasons by the 11th Circuit Federal Court in 1993. ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. 2003) recommends a ceiling exposure limit of 100 mg/m3 (39.4 ppm).
|
Environment |
Water
EPA recommends that children be exposed to no more than 20 mg/L (20 ppm) ethylene glycol in drinking water for 1 day, or 6 mg/L (6 ppm) per day over 10 days. They also recommend that adults be exposed to no more than a daily total of 7 mg/L (7 ppm) for a lifetime (FSTRAC 1990).
Food
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ethylene glycol as an indirect food additive, for use only as a component of adhesives used in packaging.
|
Key Points |
- ACGIH recommends a ceiling exposure limit of 100 mg/m3 (39.4 ppm).
- EPA recommends that children be exposed to no more than 20 mg/L (20 ppm) ethylene glycol in drinking water for 1 day, or 6 mg/L (6 ppm) per day over 10 days. They also recommend that adults be exposed to no more than a daily total of 7 mg/L (7 ppm) for a lifetime.
|
| |
|
Progress Check |
|
