What is the permissible exposure limit for benzene?
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 5 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period.
What are the hematologic health effects associated with benzene?
Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection.
What happens if exposed to benzene?
Benzene poisoning can be lethal because it causes the cells in the body to work incorrectly. Benzene exposure can cause bone marrow cells to not produce red blood cells or it can can cause the white blood cells of your immune system to fail.
What is OSHA 8 hour permissible exposure limit?
During an 8-hour work shift, an employee may be exposed to a concentration of Substance A (with a 10 ppm TWA, 25 ppm ceiling and 50 ppm peak) above 25 ppm (but never above 50 ppm) only for a maximum period of 10 minutes.
What is the time weighted average PEL or permissible exposure limit for benzene over an 8 hour shift?
1 ppm
1. Airborne: The maximum time-weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 1 part of benzene vapor per million parts of air (1 ppm) for an 8-hour workday and the maximum short-term exposure limit (STEL) is 5 ppm for any 15-minute period. 2.
How does OSHA determine exposure limits?
The levels are usually based on an average weighted time (TWA) of eight hours, although some levels are based on short-term exposure limits (STEL). A STEL addresses the average exposure over a 15 to 30 minute period of maximum exposure during a single work shift.
How long is the permissible exposure limit?
Although the STEL is a permissible average exposure over a short period, usually 15 minutes, and should not be exceeded more than four times a day if the weighted average time is not exceeded. If the predetermined limit is exceeded, the worker must remove himself for at least one hour from the hazard.
What is OSHA standard permissible exposure limit or PEL?
The current PEL for OSHA standards are based on a 5 decibel exchange rate. OSHA’s PEL for noise exposure is 90 decibels (dBA) for an 8-hour TWA. Levels of 90-140 dBA are included in the noise dose. PEL can also be expressed as 100 percent “dose” for noise exposure.
What does TWA mean for exposure limits?
“TWA is the employee’s average airborne exposure in any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week which shall not be exceeded.” The 8-hour TWA PEL is the level of exposure established as the highest level of exposure an employee may be exposed to without incurring the risk of adverse health effects.
Why is permissible exposure limit important?
PELs protect workers from the negative health effects of workplace exposure to chemicals and substances. Failing to prevent employees from exceeding PELs and STEL scan lead to serious health risks, as well as the potential for OSHA citations and penalties.
What are the health effects of benzene?
Overview. It is harmful to the eyes, skin, airway, nervous system, and lungs. Benzene can cause blood cancers like leukemia. Workers may be harmed from exposure to benzene. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done Benzene is found in products that are made from coal and petroleum.
What is the level of exposure to benzene?
The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done Benzene is found in products that are made from coal and petroleum. Lubricants, plastics, rubbers, dyes, and other chemicals can be produced with benzene. Some examples of workers at risk of benzene exposure include the following:
What is the CAS number for benzene?
CAS No. 71-43-2. Benzene (C6H6) is a highly flammable, colorless liquid that evaporates quickly into the air. It is harmful to the eyes, skin, airway, nervous system, and lungs. Benzene can cause blood cancers like leukemia. Workers may be harmed from exposure to benzene.
Is benzene a carcinogen?
Increased incidence of leukemia (cancer of the tissues that form white blood cells) have been observed in humans occupationally exposed to benzene. EPA has classified benzene as known human carcinogen for all routes of exposure.