Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or

Health Concentrations (IDLHs)

Preface
This publication documents the criteria and information sources that have been used by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to determine immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) values. IDLH
values were originally determined for 387 substances in the mid-1970's as part of the Standards Completion
Program (SCP), a joint project by NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), for use in
assigning respiratory protection equipment. NIOSH is currently evaluating the scientific adequacy of the criteria
and procedures used during the SCP for establishing IDLH values. In the interim, the IDLH values have been
reviewed and, (if appropriate) revised. In this document, IDLH values are listed with the basis and references for
the current values as well as with the original IDLH values and their documentation (as paraphrased from the SCP
draft technical standards).

Acknowledgments
Special appreciation is extended to the following individuals from the Division of Standards Development and
Technology Transfer: Crystal L. Ellison for locating the references and verifying the information used during the
Standards Completion Program to determine the original IDLH values; Rosmarie T. Hagedorn, Marsha A. Striley,
and B. JoAnne Hamons for typing the numerous drafts of this document; Vanessa L. Becks for assistance in page
design; and Laurence D. Reed, Ralph D. Zumwalde, Robert W. Mason, and G. Kent Hatfield for their technical
reviews and comments.

Disclaimer
Mention of the name of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health.

Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)

 Background
 The Standards Completion Program
 Discussion of the Original IDLH Values
 Current NIOSH Use of IDLH Values
 Revised Criteria for Determining IDLH Values
 References

Introducti on

The immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) values used by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) as respirator selection criteria were first developed in the mid-1970's. The Documentation for
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Concentrations is a compilation of the rationale and sources of
information used by NIOSH during the original determination of 387 IDLH values. In addition, NIOSH continues to
review, document, and revise the science and methodology behind the existing IDLH values when appropriate, and
derive new IDLH values.

Background
The concept of using respirators to protect workers in situations that are IDLH was discussed at least as early as the
1940's. The following is from a U.S. Department of Labor bulletin:

The situations for which respiratory protection is required may be designated as, (1) nonemergency and (2)
emergency. Nonemergency situations are the more or less normal ones that involve exposure to atmospheres that
are not immediately dangerous to health and life, but will produce marked discomfort, sickness, permanent harm,
or death after a prolonged exposure or with repeated exposure. Emergency situations are those that involve actual
or potential exposure to atmospheres that are immediately harmful and dangerous to health or life after
comparatively short exposures. [Yant 1944]

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines an IDLH value in their hazardous waste
operations and emergency response regulation as follows:

Page 1 of 24
An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to
life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to
escape from a dangerous atmosphere. [29 CFR* 1910.120]

In the OSHA regulation on permit-required confined spaces, an IDLH condition is defined as follows:

Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health
effects or that would interfere with an individual's ability to escape unaided from a permit space. Note: Some
materials--hydrogen fluoride gas and cadmium vapor, for example--may produce immediate transient effects that,
even if severe, may pass without medical attention, but are followed by sudden, possibly fatal collapse 12-72 hours
after exposure. The victim "feels normal" from recovery from transient effects until collapse. Such materials in
hazardous quantities are considered to be "immediately dangerous to life or health." [29 CFR 1910.146]

As part of their current respiratory protection standard [29 CFR 1910.134(e)], OSHA requires that a standby person
be present with suitable rescue equipment when self-contained breathing apparatus or hose masks with blowers
are used in atmospheres immediately dangerous to life or health. Furthermore, persons using air-line respirators in
atmospheres immediately hazardous to life or health must be equipped with safety harnesses and safety lines for
lifting or removing workers from hazardous atmospheres.

The Standards Completi on Program

In 1974, NIOSH and OSHA jointly initiated the development of occupational health standards consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 for substances with then-existing OSHA permissible
exposure limits (PELs). This joint effort was called the Standards Completion Program (SCP) and involved the
cooperative efforts of personnel from various divisions within NIOSH and OSHA, and several contractors. The SCP
developed 387 substance-specific draft standards with supporting documentation that contained technical
information and recommendations needed for the promulgation of new occupational health regulations. Although
new standards were not promulgated at that time, these data became the original basis for the NIOSH/OSHA
Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards [NIOSH/OSHA 1981].

As part of the respirator selection process for each draft technical standard, an IDLH value was determined. The
definition for an IDLH value that was derived during the SCP was based on the definition stipulated in 30 CFR
11.3(t). The purpose for establishing this IDLH value was to determine a concentration from which a worker could
escape without injury or without irreversible health effects in the event of respiratory protection equipment failure
(e.g., contaminant breakthrough in a cartridge respirator or stoppage of air flow in a supplied-air respirator) and a
concentration above which only "highly reliable" respirators would be required. In determining IDLH values, the
ability of a worker to escape without loss of life or irreversible health effects was considered along with severe eye
or respiratory irritation and other deleterious effects (e.g., disorientation or incoordination) that could prevent
escape. Although in most cases, egress from a particular worksite could occur in much less than 30 minutes, as a
safety margin, IDLH values were based on the effects that might occur as a consequence of a 30-minute exposure.
However, the 30-minute period was NOT meant to imply that workers should stay in the work environment any
longer than necessary following the failure of respiratory protection equipment; in fact, EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE
MADE TO EXIT IMMEDIATELY!

IDLH values were determined for each substance during the SCP on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the
toxicity data available at the time. Whenever possible, IDLH values were determined using health effects data from
studies of humans exposed for short durations. However, in most instances, a lack of human data necessitated the
use of animal toxicity data. When inhalation studies of animals exposed for short durations (i.e., 0.5 to 4 hours)
were the only health effects data available, IDLH values were based on the lowest exposure causing death or
irreversible health effects in any species. When lethal dose (LD) data from animals were used, IDLH values were
estimated on the basis of an equivalent exposure to a 70-kg worker breathing 10 cubic meters of air.

Since chronic exposure data may have little relevance to acute effects, these types of data were used in
determining IDLH values only when no acute toxicity data were available and only in conjunction with competent
scientific judgment. In a number of instances when no relevant human or animal toxicity data were available, IDLH
values were based on analogies with other substances with similar toxic effects.

Discussion of the Original IDLH Values

The basis for each of the 387 IDLH values determined during the SCP were reviewed and paraphrased from the
individual draft technical standards for this publication. Also included is a complete listing of references cited in the
SCP; in many cases where only secondary references were cited, the original sources have also been added.
Whenever available, the references (secondary and primary) were obtained to verify the information cited in the

Page 2 of 24
SCP. However, a few of the original references, such as personal communications and foreign reports, could not be
located.

Although 387 substances were originally included in the SCP, IDLH values were not specifically determined for all of
them. The published data at that time for 40 of these substances (e.g., DDT and triphenyl phosphate) showed no
evidence that an acute exposure to high concentrations would impede escape or cause any irreversible health
effects following a 30-minute exposure and the designation "NO EVIDENCE" was used in the listing of IDLHs. For all
of these substances, respirators were selected on the basis of assigned protection factors. For some (e.g., copper
fume and tetryl), an assigned protection factor of 2,000 times the PEL was arbitrarily used to determine the
concentration above which only the "most protective" respirators were permitted. However, for most particulate
substances for which evidence for establishing an IDLH value did not exist (e.g., ferbam and oil mist), the use of an
assigned protection factor of 2,000 would have resulted in the assignment of respirators at concentrations that
were not likely to be encountered in the occupational environment. In addition, exposure concentrations greater
than 500 times the PEL for many airborne particulates could result in exposures that would hamper vision.
Therefore, it was decided as part of the SCP (and during the review and revision of the IDLH values) that for such
particulate substances, only the "most protective" respirators would be permitted for use in concentrations
exceeding 500 times the PEL.

IDLH values could not be determined during the SCP for 22 substances (e.g., bromoform and calcium oxide)
because of a lack of relevant toxicity data and therefore the designation "UNKNOWN" was used in the IDLH value
listing. For most of these substances, the concentrations above which only the "most protective" respirators were
allowed were based arbitrarily on assigned protection factors that ranged from 10 to 2,000 times the PEL,
depending on the substance. There were also 10 substances (e.g., n-pentane and ethyl ether) for which it was
determined only that the IDLH values were in excess of the lower explosive limits (LELs). Therefore, the LEL was
selected as the IDLH value with the designation "LEL" added in the IDLH listing. For these substances, only the
"most protective" respirators were permitted above the LEL in the SCP draft technical standards.

For 14 substances (e.g., beryllium and endrin), the IDLH values determined during the SCP were greater than the
concentrations permitted based on assigned respiratory protection factors. In most instances the IDLHs for these
substances were set at concentrations 2,000 times the PEL.

Current NIOSH Use of IDLH Values

The current NIOSH definition for an IDLH condition, as given in the NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic, is one that
poses a threat of exposure to airborne contaminants when that exposure is likely to cause death or immediate or
delayed permanent adverse health effects or prevent escape from such an environment [NIOSH 2004]. The
purpose of establishing an IDLH value is (1) to ensure that the worker can escape from a given contaminated
environment in the event of failure of the respiratory protection equipment and (2) is considered a maximum level
above which only a highly reliable breathing apparatus providing maximum worker protection is permitted [NIOSH
2004]. In establishing the IDLH value, the following conditions must be assured:

A. The ability to escape without loss of life or immediate or delayed irreversible health effects. (Thirty minutes is
considered the maximum time for escape so as to provide some margin of safety in calculating an IDLH value.)

B. The prevention of severe eye or respiratory irritation or other reactions that would hinder escape.

The NIOSH respirator decision logic uses an IDLH value as one of several respirator selection criteria. Under the
NIOSH respirator decision logic, "highly reliable" respirators (i.e., the most protective respirators) would be
selected for emergency situations, fire fighting, exposure to carcinogens, entry into oxygen-deficient atmospheres,
entry into atmospheres that contain a substance at a concentration greater than 2,000 times the NIOSH REL or
OSHA PEL, and for entry into immediately dangerous to life or health conditions. These "highly reliable" respirators
include either a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-
demand or other positive-pressure mode, or a supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a
pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary SCBA operated in a pressure-
demand or other positive-pressure mode.

When the IDLH values were developed in the mid-1970's, only limited toxicological data were available for many of
the substances. In 1993, NIOSH requested information on the uses of IDLH values in the workplace and on the
scientific adequacy of the criteria and procedures originally used for establishing them [Federal Register, Volume
58, Number 229, p. 63379, Wednesday, December 1, 1993]. The information received in response to the Federal
Register announcement was evaluated and used to establish future actions concerning IDLH values.

Page 3 of 24
This document includes IDLH values for 85 substances (e.g., benzene and methylene chloride) determined by
NIOSH to meet the OSHA definition of "potential occupational carcinogen" as given in 29 CFR 1990.103. For all of
these substances, except ethylene oxide and crystalline silica, NIOSH recommends that the "most protective"
respirators be worn by workers exposed at concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or at any detectable
concentration when there is no REL. For ethylene oxide and crystalline silica, NIOSH recommends that the "most
protective" respirators be worn in concentrations exceeding 5 ppm and 25 mg/m3, respectively [NIOSH 1989,
2005].

Revised Criteria for Determining IDLH Values

The criteria utilized to determine the adequacy of existing IDLH values were a combination of those used during
the SCP and a newer methodology developed by NIOSH. These criteria form a tiered approach with acute human
toxicity data being used preferentially, followed next by acute animal inhalation toxicity data, and then finally by
acute animal oral toxicity data to determine an updated IDLH value. When relevant acute toxicity data were
insufficient or unavailable, then the use of chronic toxicity data or an analogy to a chemical with similar toxic
effects was considered. In order to facilitate the revision process, secondary toxicological data were primarily used.
Once a preliminary IDLH value was developed, it was compared to the existing IDLH value and to several other
factors (e.g., existing short-term exposure guidelines and lower explosive limits).

The following "hierarchy" was followed to develop a "preliminary" value for the revised IDLH value:

A. Human acute toxicity data were used if sufficient to determine a concentration that for up to 30 minutes does
not cause death, serious or irreversible health effects, or does not impair or impede the ability to escape.

B. Animal acute lethal concentration (LC) data were considered next. The only animal lethal concentration data
used involved mammals; the vast majority of the data was from studies of rats, mice, guinea pigs, and hamsters. It
was decided to generally use the lowest reliable LC data, with LC50 data preferred. If acute LC data determined
during a 30-minute period were not available, then the data, based on a study by ten Berge et al. [1986], were
"adjusted" to an equivalent 30-minute value using the following relationship:

Adjusted LC50 (30 minutes) = LC50(t) * (t/0.5)** (1/n)

where: LC50(t) = LC50 determined over t hours

n = constant*
*Note: ten Berge et al. [1986] determined the relationship shown above based on experimental data. The constant
"n" was determined by ten Berge et al. to be less than 3.0 for 18 of the 20 substances studied. Although the
individual "n" values determined by ten Berge et al. [1986] were utilized when applicable during the review and
revision of the original IDLHs, as a conservative estimate, an "n" = 3.0 was assumed when "adjusting" the LC data
to 30 minutes for all other substances. This equation with an "n" = 3.0 results in the following correction factors:

t(hours) correction factor

O.5 1.0
1 1.25
2 1.6
3 1.8
4 2.0
5 2.15
6 2.3
7 2.4
8 2.5
 

The LC values (after "adjusting" if necessary to 30 minutes) were divided by a safety factor of 10 to determine a
"preliminary" IDLH for comparison purposes.

C. Animal lethal dose (LD) data were considered next. As was the case with the lethal concentration data, the only
animal lethal dose data used involved mammals; the vast majority of the data were from studies of rats, mice,
guinea pigs, and hamsters. It was decided to generally use the lowest LD data with oral LD50 data preferred. The
LD data was used to determine the equivalent total dose to a 70-kg worker and, as was done during the SCP, the
air concentration containing this dose was determined by dividing by 10 cubic meters. [Note: A worker breathing
at a rate of 50 liters per minute for 30 minutes would inhale 1.5 cubic meters of air.] A "preliminary" IDLH for
comparison purposes was determined by dividing these air concentrations by a safety factor of 10.
Page 4 of 24
D. Chronic toxicity data were considered if no relevant acute toxicity data existed. However, the fact that chronic
exposures may have limited relevance to acute effects was taken into consideration.

E. When relevant toxicity data applying specifically to the chemicals in question were lacking, and if it was
determined to be justified, then analogies to substances with similar acute toxic effects were considered. F. All
"preliminary" IDLHs derived during this update were checked against the following factors prior to establishing the
final "revised" IDLH:

1. Lower explosive limit (LEL): It was decided to restrict the "routine" entry into a possible explosive
atmosphere to concentrations no greater than 10% of the LEL. [Note: SCP-derived IDLHs were set at 100%
of the LELs if there were no known serious health hazards below these values. However, OSHA considers
concentrations in excess of 10% of the LEL to be a hazardous atmosphere in confined spaces [29 CFR
1910.146(b)].]
2. RD50 data: An RD50 is defined as the 10-minute exposure concentration producing a 50% respiratory rate
decrease in mice or rats and can be used to estimate severe respiratory irritation. Prolonged exposure to
an RD50 concentration has been shown to produce respiratory tract lesions consistent with irritation
[Alarie 1981; Buckley et al. 1984].
3. Other short-term exposure guidelines such as the American Industrial Hygiene Association's emergency
response planning guidelines (ERPGs) and the National Research Council's emergency exposure guidance
levels (EEGLs) and short-term public emergency guidance levels (SPEGLs), and occupational exposure
standards or recommendations such as OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs, or the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) TLVs.
4. Based on the NIOSH respirator decision logic, the revised IDLH values could not be greater than 2,000
times the NIOSH REL (or OSHA PEL).
5. The revised IDLH values would not be greater than the original IDLH values derived during the SCP.
Anyone who is aware of additional published data that may affect the IDLH values determined for particular
substances is encouraged to make this information available to NIOSH. All data will be reviewed and consideration
will be made regarding subsequent revision of the IDLH values.

References
Alarie Y [1981]. Dose-response analysis in animal studies: prediction of human responses. Environ Health Persp
42:9-13.

Buckley LA, Jiang XZ, James RA, Morgan KT, Barrow CS [1984]. Respiratory tract lesions induced by sensory irritants
at the RD50 concentration. Toxicol Appl Pharacol 74(3):417-429.

NIOSH/OSHA [1981]. Occupational health guidelines for chemical hazards. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 81-123 (NTIS Publication No. PB-83-154609).

NIOSH [1989]. Current Intelligence Bulletin 52. Ethylene oxide sterilizers in health care facilities. Engineering
controls and work practices. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.
89-115 (NTIS Publication No. PB-90-142571).

NIOSH [2004]. NIOSH respirator selection logic. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS
(NIOSH). Publication No. 2005-100.

NIOSH [2005]. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
DHHS (NIOSH). Publication No. 2005-149.

ten Berge WF, Zwart A, Appleman LM [1986]. Concentration-time mortality response relationship of irritant and
systematically acting vapours and gases. J Haz Mat 13:301-309.

Yant WP [1944]. Protecting workers against temporary and emergency exposures. In: Protecting plant manpower
through the control of air contaminants. Special Bulletin No. 14. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor,
Division of Labor Standards.

Page 5 of 24
Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)

Chemical Listing and Documentation of Revised IDLH Values

(as of 3/1/95)

Substance Original IDLH Value Revised IDLH Value

Acetaldehyde 10,000 ppm 2,000 ppm

Acetic acid 1,000 ppm 50 ppm

Acetic anhydride 1,000 ppm 200 ppm

Acetone 20,000 ppm 2,500 ppm [LEL]

Acetonitrile 4,000 ppm 500 ppm

Acetylene tetrabromide 10 ppm 8 ppm

Acrolein 5 ppm 2 ppm

Acrylamide Unknown 60 mg/m3

Acrylonitrile 500 ppm 85 ppm

Aldrin 100 mg/m3 25 mg/m3

Allyl alcohol 150 ppm 20 ppm

Allyl chloride 300 ppm 250 ppm

Allyl glycidyl ether 270 ppm 50 ppm

2 Aminopyridine 5 ppm 5 ppm [Unch]

Ammonia 500 ppm 300 ppm

Ammonium sulfamate 5,000 mg/m3 1,500 mg/m3

n-Amyl acetate 4,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

sec-Amyl acetate 9,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

Aniline 100 ppm 100 ppm [Unch]

3
o-Anisidine 50 mg/m 50 mg/m3 [Unch]

p-Anisidine 50 mg/m3 50 mg/m3 [Unch]

Antimony compounds (as Sb) 80 mg Sb/m3 50 mg Sb/m3

ANTU 100 mg/m3 100 mg/m3 [Unch]

Arsenic (inorganic compounds, as As) 100 mg As/m3 5 mg As/m3

Arsine 6 ppm 3 ppm

Azinphosmethyl 20 mg/m3 10 mg/m3

Barium (soluble compounds, as Ba) 1,100 mg Ba/m3 50 mg Ba/m3

Benzene 3,000 ppm 500 ppm

Benzoyl peroxide 7,000 mg/m3 1,500 mg/m3

Benzyl chloride 10 ppm 10 ppm [Unch]

3
Beryllium compounds (as Be) 10 mg Be/m 4 mg Be/m3

Boron oxide N.E. 2,000 mg/m3

Page 6 of 24
Boron trifluoride 100 ppm 25 ppm

Bromine 10 ppm 3 ppm

Bromoform Unknown 850 ppm

1,3-Butadiene 20,000 ppm [LEL] 2,000 ppm [LEL]

2-Butanone 3,000 ppm 3,000 ppm [Unch]

2-Butoxyethanol 700 ppm 700 ppm [Unch]

n-Butyl acetate 10,000 ppm 1,700 ppm [LEL]

sec-Butyl acetate 10,000 ppm 1,700 ppm [LEL]

tert-Butyl acetate 10,000 ppm 1,500 ppm [LEL]

n-Butyl alcohol 8,000 ppm 1,400 ppm [LEL]

sec-Butyl alcohol 10,000 ppm 2,000 ppm

tert-Butyl alcohol 8,000 ppm 1,600 ppm

n-Butylamine 2,000 ppm 300 ppm

tert-Butyl chromate 30 mg/m3 (as CrO3) 15 mg Cr(VI)/m3

n-Butyl glycidyl ether 3,500 ppm 250 ppm

n-Butyl mercaptan 2,500 ppm 500 ppm

p-tert-Butyltoluene 1,000 ppm 100 ppm

3
Cadmium dust (as Cd) 50 mg Cd/m 9 mg Cd/m3

Cadmium fume (as Cd) 9 mg Cd/m3 9 mg Cd/m3[Unc h]

Calcium arsenate (as As) 100 mg As/m3 5 mg As/m3

Calcium oxide Unknown 25 mg/m3

Camphor (synthetic) 200 mg/m3 200 mg/m3 [Unch]

Carbaryl 600 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Carbon black N.E. 1,750 mg/m3

Carbon dioxide 50,000 ppm 40,000 ppm

Carbon disulfide 500 ppm 500 ppm [Unch]

Carbon monoxide 1,500 ppm 1,200 ppm

Carbon tetrachloride 300 ppm 200 ppm

Chlordane 500 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Chlorinated camphene 200 mg/m3 200 mg/m3 [Unch]

Chlorinated diphenyl oxide Unknown 5 mg/m3

Chlorine 30 ppm 10 ppm

Chlorine dioxide 10 ppm 5 ppm

Chlorine trifluoride 20 ppm 20 ppm [Unch]

Chloroacetaldehyde 100 ppm 45 ppm

alpha-Chloroacetophenone 100 mg/m3 15 mg/m3

Chlorobenzene 2,400 ppm 1,000 ppm

o-Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile 2 mg/m3 2 mg/m3 [Unch]

Page 7 of 24
Chlorobromomethane 5,000 ppm 2,000 ppm
3
Chlorodiphenyl (42% chlorine) 10 mg/m 5 mg/m3

Chlorodiphenyl (54% chlorine) 5 mg/m3 5 mg/m3 [Unch]

Chloroform 1,000 ppm 500 ppm

1-Chloro-1-nitropropane 2,000 ppm 100 ppm

Chloropicrin 4 ppm 2 ppm

beta-Chloroprene 400 ppm 300 ppm

Chromic acid and chromates 30 mg/m3 (as CrO3) 15 mg Cr(VI)/m3

Chromium (II) compounds [as Cr(II)] N.E. 250 mg Cr(II)/m3

Chromium (III) compounds [as Cr(III)] N.E. 25 mg Cr(III)/m3

Chromium metal (as Cr) N.E. 250 mg Cr/m3

Coal tar pitch volatiles 700 mg/m3 80 mg/m3

Cobalt metal, dust and fume (as Co) 20 mg Co/m3 20 mg Co/m3 [Unch]

Copper (dusts and mists, as Cu) N.E. 100 mg Cu/m3

Copper fume (as Cu) N.E. 100 mg Cu/m3

Cotton dust (raw) N.E. 100 mg/m3

Crag (r) herbicide 5,000 mg/m3 500 mg/m3

Cresol (o, m, p isomers) 250 ppm 250 ppm [Unch]

Crotonaldehyde 400 ppm 50 ppm

Cumene 8,000 ppm 900 ppm [LEL]

Cyanides (as CN) 50 mg/m3 (as CN) 25 mg/m3 (as CN)

Cyclohexane 10,000 ppm 1,300 ppm [LEL]

Cyclohexanol 3,500 ppm 400 ppm

Cyclohexanone 5,000 ppm 700 ppm

Cyclohexene 10,000 ppm 2,000 ppm

Cyclopentadiene 2,000 ppm 750 ppm

2,4-D 500 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

DDT N.E. 500 mg/m3

Decaborane 100 mg/m3 15 mg/m3

Demeton 20 mg/m3 10 mg/m3

Diacetone alcohol 2,100 ppm 1,800 ppm [LEL]

Diazomethane 2 ppm 2 ppm [Unch]

Diborane 40 ppm 15 ppm

Dibutyl phosphate 125 ppm 30 ppm

Dibutyl phthalate 9,300 mg/m3 4,000 mg/m3

o-Dichlorobenzene 1,000 ppm 200 ppm

p-Dichlorobenzene 1,000 ppm 150 ppm

Dichlorodifluoromethane 50,000 ppm 15,000 ppm

Page 8 of 24
1,3-Dichloro 5,5-dimethylhydantoin Unknown 5 mg/m3

1,1-Dichloroethane 4,000 ppm 3,000 ppm

1,2-Dichloroethylene 4,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

Dichloroethyl ether 250 ppm 100 ppm

Dichloromonofluoromethane 50,000 ppm 5,000 ppm

1,1-Dichloro 1-nitroethane 150 ppm 25 ppm

Dichlorotetrafluoroethane 50,000 ppm 15,000 ppm

Dichlorvos 200 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Dieldrin 450 mg/m3 50 mg/m3

Diethylamine 2,000 ppm 200 ppm

2-Diethylaminoethanol 500 ppm 100 ppm

Difluorodibromomethane 2,500 ppm 2,000 ppm

Diglycidyl ether 25 ppm 10 ppm

Diisobutyl ketone 2,000 ppm 500 ppm

Diisopropylamine 1,000 ppm 200 ppm

Dimethyl acetamide 400 ppm 300 ppm

Dimethylamine 2,000 ppm 500 ppm

N,N-Dimethylaniline 100 ppm 100 ppm [Unch]

Dimethyl 1,2-dibromo 2,2-dichlorethyl phosphate 1,800 mg/m3 200 mg/m3

Dimethylformamide 3,500 ppm 500 ppm

1,1-Dimethylhydrazine 50 ppm 15 ppm

Dimethylphthalate 9,300 mg/m3 2,000 mg/m3

Dimethyl sulfate 10 ppm 7 ppm

Dinitrobenzene (o, m, p isomers) 200 mg/m3 50 mg/m3

Dinitroocresol 5 mg/m3 5 mg/m3 [Unch]

Dinitrotoluene 200 mg/m3 50 mg/m3

Di sec-octyl phthalate Unknown 5,000 mg/m3

Dioxane 2,000 ppm 500 ppm

Diphenyl 300 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Dipropylene glycol methyl ether Unknown 600 ppm

Endrin 2,000 mg/m3 2 mg/m3

Epichlorohydrin 250 ppm 75 ppm

EPN 50 mg/m3 5 mg/m3

Ethanolamine 1,000 ppm 30 ppm

2-Ethoxyethanol 6,000 ppm 500 ppm

2-Ethoxyethyl acetate 2,500 ppm 500 ppm

Ethyl acetate 10,000 ppm 2,000 ppm [LEL]

Ethyl acrylate 2,000 ppm 300 ppm

Page 9 of 24
Ethyl alcohol 15,000 ppm 3,300 ppm [LEL]

Ethylamine 4,000 ppm 600 ppm

Ethyl benzene 2,000 ppm 800 ppm [LEL]

Ethyl bromide 3,500 ppm 2,000 ppm

Ethyl butyl ketone 3,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

Ethyl chloride 20,000 ppm 3,800 ppm [LEL]

Ethylene chlorohydrin 10 ppm 7 ppm

Ethylenediamine 2,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

Ethylene dibromide 400 ppm 100 ppm

Ethylene dichloride 1,000 ppm 50 ppm

Ethylene glycol dinitrate 500 mg/m3 75 mg/m3

Ethyleneimine 100 ppm 100 ppm [Unch]

Ethylene oxide 800 ppm 800 ppm [Unch]

Ethyl ether 19,000 ppm [LEL] 1,900 ppm [LEL]

Ethyl formate 8,000 ppm 1,500 ppm

Ethyl mercaptan 2,500 ppm 500 ppm

N-Ethylmorpholine 2,000 ppm 100 ppm

Ethyl silicate 1,000 ppm 700 ppm

Ferbam N.E. 800 mg/m3

Ferrovanadium dust N.E. 500 mg/m3

Fluorides (as F) 500 mg F/m3 250 mg F/m3

Fluorine 25 ppm 25 ppm [Unch]

Fluorotrichloromethane 10,000 ppm 2,000 ppm

Formaldehyde 30 ppm 20 ppm

Formic acid 30 ppm 30 ppm [Unch]

Furfural 250 ppm 100 ppm

Furfuryl alcohol 250 ppm 75 ppm

Glycidol 500 ppm 150 ppm

Graphite (natural) N.E. 1,250 mg/m3

Hafnium compounds (as Hf) Unknown 50 mg Hf/m3

Heptachlor 700 mg/m3 35 mg/m3

n-Heptane 5,000 ppm 750 ppm

Hexachloroethane 300 ppm 300 ppm [Unch]

3
Hexachloronaphthalene 2 mg/m 2 mg/m3 [Unch]

n-Hexane 5,000 ppm 1,100 ppm [LEL]

2-Hexanone 5,000 ppm 1,600 ppm

Hexone 3,000 ppm 500 ppm

sec Hexyl acetate 4,000 ppm 500 ppm

Page 10 of 24
Hydrazine 80 ppm 50 ppm

Hydrogen bromide 50 ppm 30 ppm

Hydrogen chloride 100 ppm 50 ppm

Hydrogen cyanide 50 ppm 50 ppm [Unch]

Hydrogen fluoride (as F) 30 ppm 30 ppm [Unch]

Hydrogen peroxide 75 ppm 75 ppm [Unch]

Hydrogen selenide (as Se) 2 ppm 1 ppm

Hydrogen sulfide 300 ppm 100 ppm

Hydroquinone Unknown 50 mg/m3

Iodine 10 ppm 2 ppm

Iron oxide dust and fume (as Fe) N.E. 2,500 mg Fe/m3

Isoamyl acetate 3,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

Isoamyl alcohol (primary and secondary) 10,000 ppm 500 ppm

Isobutyl acetate 7,500 ppm 1,300 ppm [LEL]

Isobutyl alcohol 8,000 ppm 1,600 ppm

Isophorone 800 ppm 200 ppm

Isopropyl acetate 16,000 ppm 1,800 ppm

Isopropyl alcohol 12,000 ppm 2,000 ppm [LEL]

Isopropylamine 4,000 ppm 750 ppm

Isopropyl ether 10,000 ppm 1,400 ppm [LEL]

Isopropyl glycidyl ether 1,000 ppm 400 ppm

Ketene Unknown 5 ppm

3
Lead compounds (as Pb) 700 mg Pb/m 100 mg Pb/m3

Lindane 1,000 mg/m3 50 mg/m3

Lithium hydride 55 mg/m3 0.5 mg/m3

L.P.G. 19,000 ppm [LEL] 2,000 ppm [LEL]

Magnesium oxide fume N.E. 750 mg/m3

Malathion 5,000 mg/m3 250 mg/m3

Maleic anhydride Unknown 10 mg/m3

Manganese compounds (as Mn) N.E. 500 mg Mn/m3

Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls, as Hg] 28 mg Hg/m3 10 mg Hg/m3

Mercury (organo) alkyl compounds(as Hg) 10 mg Hg/m3 2 mg Hg/m3

Mesityl oxide 5,000 ppm 1,400 ppm [LEL]

Methoxychlor N.E. 5,000 mg/m3

Methyl acetate 10,000 ppm 3,100 ppm [LEL]

Methyl acetylene 15,000 ppm [LEL] 1,700 ppm [LEL]

Methyl acetylenepropadiene mixture 15,000 ppm 3,400 ppm [LEL]

Methyl acrylate 1,000 ppm 250 ppm

Page 11 of 24
Methylal 15,000 ppm [LEL] 2,200 ppm [LEL]

Methyl alcohol 25,000 ppm 6,000 ppm

Methylamine 100 ppm 100 ppm [Unch]

Methyl (namyl) ketone 4,000 ppm 800 ppm

Methyl bromide 2,000 ppm 250 ppm

Methyl Cellosolve (r) 2,000 ppm 200 ppm

Methyl Cellosolve (r) acetate 4,000 ppm 200 ppm

Methyl chloride 10,000 ppm 2,000 ppm

Methyl chloroform 1,000 ppm 700 ppm

Methylcyclohexane 10,000 ppm 1,200 ppm [LEL]

Methylcyclohexanol 10,000 ppm 500 ppm

o-Methylcyclohexanone 2,500 ppm 600 ppm

Methylene bisphenyl isocyanate 100 mg/m3 75 mg/m3

Methylene chloride 5,000 ppm 2,300 ppm

Methyl formate 5,000 ppm 4,500 ppm

5-Methyl 3-heptanone 3,000 ppm 100 ppm

Methyl hydrazine 50 ppm 20 ppm

Methyl iodide 800 ppm 100 ppm

Methyl isobutyl carbinol 2,000 ppm 400 ppm

Methyl isocyanate 20 ppm 3 ppm

Methyl mercaptan 400 ppm 150 ppm

Methyl methacrylate 4,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

Methyl styrene 5,000 ppm 700 ppm

Mica N.E. 1,500 mg/m3

Molybdenum (insoluble compounds, as Mo) N.E. 5,000 mg Mo/m3

Molybdenum (soluble compounds, as Mo) N.E. 1,000 mg Mo/m3

Monomethyl aniline 100 ppm 100 ppm [Unch]

Morpholine 8,000 ppm 1,400 ppm [LEL]

Naphtha (coal tar) 10,000 ppm [LEL] 1,000 ppm [LEL]

Naphthalene 500 ppm 250 ppm

Nickel carbonyl (as Ni) 7 ppm 2 ppm

Nickel metal and other compounds (as Ni) N.E. 10 mg Ni/m3

Nicotine 35 mg/m3 5 mg/m3

Nitric acid 100 ppm 25 ppm

Nitric oxide 100 ppm 100 ppm [Unch]

p-Nitroaniline 300 mg/m3 300 mg/m3 [Unch]

Nitrobenzene 200 ppm 200 ppm [Unch]

p-Nitrochlorobenzene 1,000 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Page 12 of 24
Nitroethane 1,000 ppm 1,000 ppm [Unch]

Nitrogen dioxide 50 ppm 20 ppm

Nitrogen trifluoride 2,000 ppm 1,000 ppm

Nitroglycerine 500 mg/m3 75 mg/m3

Nitromethane 1,000 ppm 750 ppm

1-Nitropropane 2,300 ppm 1,000 ppm

2-Nitropropane 2,300 ppm 100 ppm

Nitrotoluene (o, m, p isomers) 200 ppm 200 ppm [Unch]

Octachloronaphthalene Unknown Unknown [Unch]

Octane 5,000 ppm 1,000 ppm [LEL]

Oil mist (mineral) N.E. 2,500 mg/m3

Osmium tetroxide (as Os) 1 mg Os/m3 1 mg Os/m3 [Unch]

Oxalic acid 500 mg/m3 500 mg/m3 [Unch]

Oxygen difluoride 0.5 ppm 0.5 ppm [Unch]

Ozone 10 ppm 5 ppm

Paraquat 1.5 mg/m3 1 mg/m3

Parathion 20 mg/m3 10 mg/m3

Pentaborane 3 ppm 1 ppm

Pentachloronaphthalene Unknown Unknown [Unch]

Pentachlorophenol 150 mg/m3 2.5 mg/m3

n-Pentane 15,000 ppm [LEL] 1,500 ppm [LEL]

2-Pentanone 5,000 ppm 1,500 ppm

Perchloromethyl mercaptan 10 ppm 10 ppm [Unch]

Perchloryl fluoride 385 ppm 100 ppm

Petroleum distillates (naphtha) 10,000 ppm 1,100 ppm [LEL]

Phenol 250 ppm 250 ppm [Unch]

p-Phenylene diamine Unknown 25 mg/m3

Phenyl ether (vapor) N.E. 100 ppm

Phenyl etherbiphenyl mixture (vapor) N.E. 10 ppm

Phenyl glycidyl ether Unknown 100 ppm

Phenylhydrazine 295 ppm 15 ppm

Phosdrin 4 ppm 4 ppm [Unch]

Phosgene 2 ppm 2 ppm [Unch]

Phosphine 200 ppm 50 ppm

Phosphoric acid 10,000 mg/m3 1,000 mg/m3

Phosphorus (yellow) N.E. 5 mg/m3

Phosphorus pentachloride 200 mg/m3 70 mg/m3

Phosphorus pentasulfide 750 mg/m3 250 mg/m3

Page 13 of 24
Phosphorus trichloride 50 ppm 25 ppm
3
Phthalic anhydride 10,000 mg/m 60 mg/m3

Picric acid 100 mg/m3 75 mg/m3

Pindone 200 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Platinum (soluble salts, as Pt) N.E. 4 mg Pt/m3

Portland cement N.E. 5,000 mg/m3

Propane 20,000 ppm [LEL] 2,100 ppm [LEL]

n-Propyl acetate 8,000 ppm 1,700 ppm

n-Propyl alcohol 4,000 ppm 800 ppm

Propylene dichloride 2,000 ppm 400 ppm

Propylene imine 500 ppm 100 ppm

Propylene oxide 2,000 ppm 400 ppm

n-Propyl nitrate 2,000 ppm 500 ppm

Pyrethrum 5,000 mg/m3 5,000 mg/m3 [Unch]

Pyridine 3,600 ppm 1,000 ppm

Quinone 300 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Rhodium (metal fume and insoluble compounds, as Rh) N.E. 100 mg Rh/m3

Rhodium (soluble compounds, as Rh) N.E. 2 mg Rh/m3

Ronnel 5,000 mg/m3 300 mg/m3

Rotenone Unknown 2,500 mg/m3

Selenium compounds (as Se) Unknown 1 mg Se/m3

Selenium hexafluoride 5 ppm 2 ppm

Silica, amorphous N.E. 3,000 mg/m3

Silica, crystalline (respirable dust) N.E.  

cristobalite/tridymite:   25 mg/m3

quartz/tripoli:   50 mg/m3

Silver (metal dust and soluble compounds, as Ag) N.E. 10 mg Ag/m3

Soapstone N.E. 3,000 mg/m3

Sodium fluoroacetate 5 mg/m3 2.5 mg/m3

Sodium hydroxide 250 mg/m3 10 mg/m3

Stibine 40 ppm 5 ppm

Stoddard solvent 29,500 mg/m3 20,000 mg/m3

Strychnine 3 mg/m3 3 mg/m3 [Unch]

Styrene 5,000 ppm 700 ppm

Sulfur dioxide 100 ppm 100 ppm [Unch]

Sulfuric acid 80 mg/m3 15 mg/m3

Sulfur monochloride 10 ppm 5 ppm

Sulfur pentafluoride 1 ppm 1 ppm [Unch]

Page 14 of 24
Sulfuryl fluoride 1,000 ppm 200 ppm

2,4,5-T Unknown 250 mg/m3

Talc N.E. 1,000 mg/m3

Tantalum (metal and oxide dust, as Ta) N.E. 2,500 mg Ta/m3

TEDP 35 mg/m3 10 mg/m3

Tellurium compounds (as Te) N.E. 25 mg Te/m3

Tellurium hexafluoride 1 ppm 1 ppm [Unch]

TEPP 10 mg/m3 5 mg/m3

Terphenyl (o, m, p isomers) Unknown 500 mg/m3

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloro 2,2-difluoroethane 15,000 ppm 2,000 ppm

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloro 1,2-difluoroethane 15,000 ppm 2,000 ppm

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane 150 ppm 100 ppm

Tetrachloroethylene 500 ppm 150 ppm

Tetrachloronaphthalene Unknown Unknown [Unch]

Tetraethyl lead (as Pb) 40 mg Pb/m3 40 mg Pb/m3 [Unch]

Tetrahydrofuran 20,000 ppm [LEL] 2,000 ppm [LEL]

Tetramethyl lead (as Pb) 40 mg Pb/m3 40 mg Pb/m3 [Unch]

Tetramethyl succinonitrile 5 ppm 5 ppm [Unch]

Tetranitromethane 5 ppm 4 ppm

Tetryl N.E. 750 mg/m3

Thallium (soluble compounds, as Tl) 20 mg Tl/m3 15 mg Tl/m3

Thiram 1,500 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Tin (inorganic compounds, as Sn) 400 mg Sn/m3 100 mg Sn/m3

Tin (organic compounds, as Sn) Unknown 25 mg Sn/m3

Titanium dioxide N.E. 5,000 mg/m3

Toluene 2,000 ppm 500 ppm

Toluene 2,4-diisocyanate 10 ppm 2.5 ppm

o-Toluidine 100 ppm 50 ppm

Tributyl phosphate 125 ppm 30 ppm

1,1,2-Trichloroethane 500 ppm 100 ppm

Trichloroethylene 1,000 ppm 1,000 ppm [Unch]

Trichloronaphthalene Unknown Unknown [Unch]

1,2,3-Trichloropropane 1,000 ppm 100 ppm

1,1,2-Trichloro 1,2,2-trifluoroethane 4,500 ppm 2,000 ppm

Triethylamine 1,000 ppm 200 ppm

Trifluorobromomethane 50,000 ppm 40,000 ppm

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene 1,000 mg/m3 500 mg/m3

Triorthocresyl phosphate 40 mg/m3 40 mg/m3 [Unch]

Page 15 of 24
Triphenyl phosphate N.E. 1,000 mg/m3

Turpentine 1,500 ppm 800 ppm

Uranium (insoluble compounds, as U) 30 mg U/m3 10 mg U/m3

Uranium (soluble compounds, as U) 20 mg U/m3 10 mg U/m3

Vanadium dust 70 mg/m3 (as V2O5) 35 mg V/m3

Vanadium fume 70 mg/m3 (as V2O5) 35 mg V/m3

Vinyl toluene 5,000 ppm 400 ppm

Warfarin 350 mg/m3 100 mg/m3

Xylene (o, m, p isomers) 1,000 ppm 900 ppm

Xylidine 150 ppm 50 ppm

Yttrium compounds (as Y) N.E. 500 mg Y/m3

Zinc chloride fume 4,800 mg/m3 50 mg/m3

Zinc oxide 2,500 mg/m3 500 mg/m3

Zirconium compounds (as Zr) 500 mg Zr/m3 25 mg Zr/m3

Page 16 of 24
Documentati on for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrati ons (IDLHs)

Abbreviati ons for IDLH Documentati on

A1 confirmed human carcinogen (ACGIH)

A2 suspected human carcinogen (ACGIH)

A3 animal carcinogen (ACGIH)

A4 not classifiable as a human carcinogen (ACGIH)

A5 not suspected as a human carcinogen (ACGIH)

ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association

CAS Chemical Abstract Service

CF correction factor for LC data

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

EEGL emergency exposure guidance level (NRC)

ERPG emergency response planning guideline (AIHA)

IDLH immediately dangerous to life or health concentration value

i.p. intraperitoneal

i.v. intravenous

kg kilogram

LC lethal concentration

LC50 concentration causing death in 50%

LCLo lowest concentration causing death

LD lethal dose

LD50 dosage causing death in 50%

LDLo lowest dosage causing death

LEL lower explosive limit

mg/kg milligrams per kilogram of body weight

mg/m3 milligrams per cubic meter of air

mmHg millimeters of mercury (pressure measurement)

mppcf millions of particles per cubic foot of air

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NRC National Research Council

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PEL permissible exposure limit (OSHA)

ppm parts per million parts of air

RD50 concentration producing a 50% decrease in respiratory rate following a 10-minute exposure

REL recommended exposure limit (NIOSH)

s.c. subcutaneous
Page 17 of 24
SCP Standards Completion Program (NIOSH/OSHA)

SPEGL short-term public emergency guidance level (NRC)

STEL Short-term exposure limit

TCLo lowest concentration resulting in a toxic effect

TDLo lowest dose resulting in a toxic effect

TLV threshold limit value (ACGIH)

TWA time-weighted average

Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)

Abbreviations for Journal Titles

Ader Hand BiolArbeitsmethod Abdernalden's Handbuch der Biologischen Arbeitsmethoden

Acta Med Scand Acta Medica Scandinavica (Stockholm)

Acta Med Scand Suppl Acta Medica Scandinavica Supplementum (Stockholm)

Acta Pharmaceut Jugo Acta Pharmaceutica Jugoslavica

Acta Pharmacol Toxicol Acta Pharmacologica et Toxicologica (Copenhagen)

Acta Physiol Scand Acta Physiologica Scandinavica (Oxford)

Agri Biol Chem Agricultural and Biological Chemistry (Tokyo)

AMA Arch Ind Health American Medical Association Archives of Industrial Health

AMA Arch Ind Hyg American Medical Association Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine
Occup Med

Am Ind Hyg Assoc J American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal

Am Ind Hyg Assoc Q American Industrial Hygiene Association Quarterly

Am J Clin Pathol American Journal of Clinical Pathology

Am J Ind Med American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Am J Med American Journal of Medicine

Am J Med Sci American Journal of the Medical Sciences

Am J Pathol American Journal of Pathology

Am J Public Health American Journal of Public Health

Am J Public Health Nations American Journal of Public Health and the Nations Health
Health

Am J Vet Res American Journal of Veterinary Research

Am Rev Pharmacol American Review of Pharmacology

Anal Chem Analytical Chemistry

Ann Intern Med Annals of Internal Medicine

Arch Biochem Archives of Biochemistry

Arch Environ Health Archives of Environmental Health

Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol Archiv for Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie

Page 18 of 24
Arch Gewerbepath Archiv for Gewerbepathogie und Gewerbehygiene
Gewerbehyg

Arch Hyg Archiv for Hygiene

Arch Hyg Bakteriol Arch for Hygiene und Bakteriologie (Munich)

Arch Int Pharmaco Ther Archives Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie

Arch Mal Prof Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale (Paris)

Arch Pathol Archives of Pathology

Arch Sci Med Archivio per le Scienze Mediche (Turin)

Arch Toxicol Archives of Toxicology

Arch Toxikol Archiv for Toxikologie (Berlin)

Biochem Pharmacol Biochemical Pharmacology (Oxford)

Biomed Biochim Acta Biomedica Biochimica Acta (Berlin)

Br J Ind Med British Journal of Industrial Medicine (London)

Br Med J British Medical Journal (London)

Bulletin Environ Contam Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Toxicol

Bulletin Exp Biol Med Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine

Can J Public Health Canadian Journal of Public Health (Ottawa)

Can Med Assoc J Canadian Medical Association Journal (Ottawa)

Chem Abstr Chemical Abstracts

Chem Biol Interact Chemico-Biological Interactions (Ireland)

Chem Ind Chemistry and Industry (London)

Chi J Prev Med Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine

Clin Res Clinical Research

Clin Toxicol Clinical Toxicology

Comp Rend Hebdom Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances, Academie des Sciences

CRC Crit Rev Toxicol CRC Critical Reviews in Toxicology

Czech Med J Czechoslovakian Medical Journal

Drug Chem Toxicol Drug and Chemical Toxicology

Ecotoxicol Environ Safety Ecotoxicological and Environmental Safety

Environ Health Perspect Environmental Health Perspectives

Environ Res Environmental Research

Exp Molec Pathol Experimental and Molecular Pathology

Farmakol Toxsikol Farmakologiya I Toxsikologiya (Moscow)

Fed Proc Federation Proceedings

Fiz Akt Vesh Fiziologicheski Aktivnye Veshchestva (Physiologically Active Substances)

Fluor Chem Rev Fluorine Chemistry Reviews

Food Cosmet Toxicol Food and Cosmetics Toxicology (Oxford)

Food Res Food Research

Page 19 of 24
Fundam Appl Toxicol Fundamental and Applied Toxicology

Gen Pharmacol General Pharmacology (Oxford)

Gig Nas Mest Gigiena Naselennykh Mest (Hygiene in Populated Places)

Gig Sanit Gigiena i Sanitariya (Moscow)

Gig Tr Prof Zabol Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya (Labor Hygiene and Occupational Diseases)
(Moscow)

Hum Toxicol Human Toxicology (England)

Ind Eng Chem Industrial Engineering Chemistry

Ind Hyg Newsletter Industrial Hygiene Newsletter

Indian J Exp Biol Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (New Delhi)

Ind Med Industrial Medicine

Ind Med Surg Industrial Medicine and Surgery

Int Arch Arbeitsmed Internationales Archiv for Arbeitsmedizin (Berlin)

Int J Abnorm Develop The International Journal of Abnormal Development

Int J Air Pollut International Journal of Air Pollution

Int Polymer Sci Tech International Polymer Science and Technology

J Agri Food Chem Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry

J Air Pollut Control Assoc Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association

JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association

J Am Coll Toxicol Journal of the American College of Toxicology

J Am Pharm Assoc Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association

J Appl Physiol Journal of Applied Physiology

J Appl Toxicol Journal of Applied Toxicology (England)

J Combustion Toxicol Journal of Combustion Toxicology

J Econ Entomol Journal of Economic Entomology

J Environ Pathol Toxicol Journal of Environmental Pathology and Toxicology

J Eur Toxicol Journal Europeen de Toxicologie (European Journal of Toxicology)

J Fire Sci Journal of Fire Sciences

J Haz Mat Journal of Hazardous Materials

J Hyg Journal of Hygiene (London)

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Journal of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiology, and Immunology (Prague)
Immunol

J Ind Hyg Journal of Industrial Hygiene

J Ind Hyg Toxicol Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

J Lab Clin Med Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine

J Occup Med Journal of Occupational Medicine

J Osaka Cty Med Cntr Journal of the Osaka City Medical Center

J Pathol Bacteriol Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology (London)

J Pharmacol Journal de Pharmacologie (Paris)

Page 20 of 24
J Pharmacol Exp Ther Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

J Pharm Pharmacol Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (London)

J Pharm Sci Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

J Royal Army Med Corps Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps

J Soc Occup Med Journal of the Society of Occupational Medicine (Edinboro)

J Toxicol Environ Health Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health

J Toxicol Sci Journal of Toxicological Sciences (Japan)

Kosm Biol Aviak Med Kosmicheskaya Biologiya I Aviakomicheskaya Meditsnia (Space Biology and Aerospace
Medicine) (Moscow)

Kuma Med J Kumamoto Medical Journal (Japan)

Med Lav Medicina del Lavoro (Industrial Medicine) (Milan)

Med Pr Medycyna Pracy (Medical Practice) (Warsaw)

Milit Med Military Medicine

Mutat Res Mutation Research (Amsterdam)

N Engl J Med New England Journal of Medicine

Neurotoxicol Neurotoxicology

NIH Bulletin National Institutes of Health Bulletin

N Z Med J New Zealand Medical Journal (Dunedin)

Pest Biochem Physiol Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology

Pharmaceut J Pharmaceutical Journal

Pharmacol Rev Pharmacological Review

Pharmacol Res Commun Pharmacological Research Communications

Pharmacol Ther Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Pharm Chem J Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal

Proc Eur Soc St Drug Tox Proceedings of the European Society for the Study of Drug Toxicity

Proc Eur Soc Toxicol Proceedings of the European Society of Toxicology

Proc Soc Exp Biol Med Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine

Prog Exp Tumor Res Progress in Experimental Tumor Research

Prom Toksikol Klin Promyshlennaya Toksikologiya Klinika

Public Health Rep Public Health Reports

Q Bulletin Assoc Food Drug Quarterly Bulletin of the Association of Food and Drug Officials of the U.S.
Off U.S.

Q J Stud Alcohol Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol

Rec Med Vet Recueil de Medecine Veterinaire

S Afr Med J South African Medical Journal (Capetown)

Scand J Work Environ Health Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health (Helsinki)

Tab Biol Per Tabulae Biologicae Periodicae

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

Toxicol Lett Toxicology Letters (Amsterdam)

Page 21 of 24
Toksikol Nov Prom Khim Toksikologiya Novykh Promyshlennykh Khimicheskikh Veshchestva (Toxicology of New
Vesh Industrial Chemical Substances)

Trans Am Soc Heat Vent Transactions of the American Society of eating and Ventilating Engineers
Eng

Vest Akad Med Nk Vestnik Akademii Meditsinskikh Nouk SSR (Journal of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the
USSR)

Vet Hum Toxicol Veterinary and Human Toxicology

Vet Med Veterinary Medicine

Vet Med Small Anim Clin Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinician

Vop Komm Gig Voprosy Kommunal'noi Gigiena (Problems of Communal Hygiene)

Zeit Ges Exp Med Zeitschrift for die Gesampte Experimentelle Medizin

Zeit Ges Med Gren Zeitschrift for die Gesamte Innre Medizin und Ihre Grenzgebiete

Zentralbl Arbeitsmed Zentralblatt for Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz

Arbeitsschutz

FOROS REALCIONADOS COM “LETHAL SERVICE”:

I am designing a vessel that is supposed to collect (by gravity) condensate containing about
38 ppm of H2S.  Once collected, this condensate will be displaced from the vessel to the
flare using Nitrogen at 100 psi.

Would you consider this vessel to be on lethal service?

Thanks for your help.

Susana.

Ps: UW-2 defines a lethal substance as poisonous gases or liquids of such a nature that a
very small amount of the gas or of the vapor of the liquid mixed or unmixed with air is
dangerous to life when inhaled.

15 ppm of Hydrogen-sulfide(H2S)is the allowable exposure limit for 15 minutes according to

SHE standards.

Please excuse my Engligh... it´s not very good.

Eng-Tips Forums is Member Supported. Click Here to donate.
deanc (Specifier/Regul) 30 Apr 03
11:05
Think you have answered your own question. I would prefer not to be exposed to this.

EGT01 (Chemical) 30 Apr 03

15:49
I can't say I have any experience with H2S but I do have a little with other lethal service chemicals and
there may not be a simple answer to your question.

Look again at the UW-2 definition.  I think what you need to consider is the equilibrium concentration
of H2S in the vapor above the liquid at the temperature of the condensate.  That would be the H2S in
the "vapor" that might leak from the vessel.  Then what happens to the liquid if it were to leak?  Would
it flash?

However, you may also need to consider single failure modes from upstream sources that might cause
Page 22 of 24
the vessel contents to be much different than you have indicated.

Having a full understanding of the chemical characteristics (odor, color) and physiological effects is also
important.  Probably good to get an Industrial Hygienist involved.

For these reasons I believe it is up to you, the user to define whether lethal service is
required.  Of course it would be interesting to hear if anyone has any experience directly related to
the concentrations you've indicated.

I would wonder if the equipment upstream of your new collection drum is designated lethal service and
whether there is already a lethal service definition for H2S at your facility.  Of course this is something
you should already know.

It may be more appropriate to ask how to determine when to designate lethal service rather than does
the indicated concentrations require lethal service.  Does anyone know of an established methodology
for determining the need for lethal service?
flames (Materials) 30 Apr 03
20:11
The company you are designing for and local regulations may dictate your answer.  I work in a plant
that has pressure >5000kPa total pressure with over 30% H2S and nothing is considered in lethal
service.

jte (Mechanical) 30 Apr 03

21:02
Susana-

I do have experience with hydrogen sulfide - in fact, I'm wearing my H2S monitor right now. We're
required to have a monitor clipped to our overalls or hard hat anytime we're out and about in the
operating units.

I would not define 38 ppm H2S as lethal. Getting into the 300 ppm range would be - and officially you
should consider 100 ppm as the basis for your decision. That value is once you have lost containment
and it is spewing out into the atmosphere. Take a look at Thread794-22012, "Defining Lethal
Service" at

Thread794-22012 Ok, how do you link directly to another post?

jte (Mechanical) 30 Apr 03

21:06
Hmmm... you just type in the thread and the site automatically creates the link... So easy even I can
handle it!

jt

EGT01 (Chemical) 1 May 03 20:14

jte - the thread you referenced above didn't seem to have much there but it did make reference to
another that seemed to have some good discussion.  Looks like this has been a topic of discussion
several times before.  Here's a couple more from the past.

Thread124-23360
Thread794-17433

I found the post by TD2K dated Feb-23-2002 in the last thread noted above especially interesting in
regards to the footnote in previous editions of the CASTI guidebook which gave examples of chemicals
considered lethal (hydrocyanic acid, carbonyl chloride, cyanogen, mustard gas and xylyl bromide) and
those not considered lethal (chlorine, ammonia, plus others).

Though RTP-1 may not constitute a pressure vessel since it is intended for pressures <15psig, it lists a
service restriction referred to as "critical service" which one of the criteria sounds a lot like "lethal
service".  I mention this only because I wonder if such criteria would be reasonable to apply to the
Page 23 of 24
lethal service definition.  Maybe this is why I've seen chlorine vaporizers and vessels in ammonia
refrigeration systems not designated lethal service.

From RTP-1 1989, 1-210 Service Restrictions

"substance contained is known by the User to be an insidious and extremely poisonous gas or liquid of
such a nature that a very small amount of the gas or of the vapor of the liquid mixed or unmixed with
air is dangerous to life when inhaled, or of such a nature that a very small amount of the substance in
contact with the body may be absorbed and cause a toxic reaction that is dangerous to life.  By
insidious is meant the substance is of such a nature that exposure to the substance might result in a
discomfort level not sufficient to warn of potential severe and irreversible damage to an individual's
health."

AZman (Mechanical) 5 May 03 7:42

HI SZOGHBI,
you may also have to look up NACE MR 01-75, dealing with other impacts(metallurgical) of H2S, and
how to determine the concentration as effective or insignificant.There's also limits on the type of metal
as well as the heat treatments/hardness of your shell material to contain H2S.
Finally, I agree with deanc in that you have much to consider - and do take your time !
hope you'll find it usefull .
Hi!
There is another thread on this board dealing with whether or not to use normalized plate for ammonia
service, and some questions were raised as to what constitutes "Lethal Service." I thought that issue was
worth its own thread. My background is in mechanical engineering, not chemical or Industrial Hygeine,
and at the plant where I work we have an I.H. specialist to help make the calls.
However, I'd suggest that a source for helping to make a determination for "Lethal Service" would be the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH. Their web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/idlh-1.html has a listing of chemicals under the "IDLHs--Chemical
Listing and Documentation" button which defines concentrations of chemicals which are "Immediately
Dangerous to Life or Health."
For the question in the normalized plate thread, I'd say that the ammonia service is lethal if
a small leak can cause a concentration at or above the IDLH level (300 ppm) in the
immediate vicinity.
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