[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37818-37819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15040]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[CDC-2013-0011; NIOSH-262]
Request for Information on Toluene Diisocyanates
AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Request for Information.
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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends
to evaluate the scientific data on toluene diissocyanate (TDI) and
other TDI-based isocyanate products to develop a Criteria Document to
establish an updated Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for toluene
diisocyanate. The current NIOSH REL for 2,4-TDI is the lowest feasible
concentration with no ceiling due to the potential carcinogenicity of
2,4-TDI.
NIOSH is requesting information on the following: (1) Published and
unpublished reports and findings from in vitro and in vivo toxicity
studies with toluene diisocyanate; (2) information on possible health
effects observed in workers exposed to toluene diisocyanate, including
exposure data and the method(s) used for sampling and analyzing
exposures; (3) description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential
for exposure to toluene diisocyanate; (4) information on control
measures (e.g. engineering controls, work practices, personal
protective equipment, exposure data before and after implementation of
control measures) that are being used in workplaces with potential
exposure to toluene diisocyanate; and (5) surveillance findings
including protocol, methods, and results.
DATES: Public Comment Period: Comments must be received August 8, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2013-0011 and
Docket Number NIOSH-262, by either of the two following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories,
MS-C34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
Instructions: All information received in response to this notice
must include the agency name and docket number (CDC-2013-0011; NIOSH-
262). All relevant comments received will be posted without change to
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided. All electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft
Word. Please make reference to CDC-2013-0011 and Docket Number NIOSH-
262.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naomi Hudson, Dr.P.H., NIOSH, Robert A
Taft Laboratories, MS-C32, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226,
telephone (513) 533-8388.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Toluene diisocyanates are colorless to pale
yellow liquids or solids with a sharp, pungent odor. TDI is one of the
most commonly used diisocyanates. The most common formulation of TDI is
a mixture of two isomers: 80% 2,4-TDI and 20% 2,6-TDI. Approximately
541 million pounds of TDI were used in 2008, and 527 million pounds of
TDI were used in 2010.
Occupational exposure occurs during production and use of
diisocyanates, such as the mixing and foaming processes in the
polyurethane foam industry, and during spray adhesive application in
the automobile and furniture industries. TDI is an irritant to the
eyes, skin, and the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Workers
exposed to TDI may also be sensitized, such that they might be subject
to asthma attacks. In 1996 NIOSH published a NIOSH Alert, Preventing
Asthma and Death from Diisocyanate Exposure [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication
No. 96-111]. In 1989, NIOSH published a Current Intelligence Bulletin
on toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and toluenediamine (TDA) [DHHS (NIOSH)
Publication No. 90-101] which classified TDI and TDA (used in the
manufacturing of TDI) as potential occupational carcinogens.
The current NIOSH REL for 2,4-TDI is the lowest feasible
concentration with no ceiling due to the potential carcinogenicity of
TDI. The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for TDI is 0.005 ppm,
with a ceiling of 0.02 ppm. The American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) for TDI is
0.005 ppm with a ceiling of 0.02 ppm to minimize effects on the
respiratory tract and to minimize the potential for sensitization.
NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, including published and
unpublished reports and research findings, to evaluate the possible
health risks of occupational exposure to diisocyanates. Examples of
requested information include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Identification of industries or occupations in which exposures
to TDI may occur.
(2) Trends in the production and use of TDI.
(3) Description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential for
exposure to TDI.
(4) Workplace exposure measurement data of TDI in various types of
industries and jobs.
(5) Case reports or other health information demonstrating
potential health effects in workers exposed to TDI.
(6) Research findings from in vitro and in vivo studies.
(7) Information on control measures (e.g., engineering controls,
work practices, PPE) being taken to minimize worker exposure to TDI.
(8) Educational materials for worker safety and training on the
safe handling of diisocyanates.
[[Page 37819]]
(9) Data pertaining to the feasibility of establishing a more
protective REL for diisocyanates.
(10) Names of substitute chemicals or processes being used in place
of TDI and type of work tasks.
Dated: June 17, 2013.
John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-15040 Filed 6-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P