ACUTE EXPOSURES​​​ ​​ ​

NIOSH Requests Technical Review of Draft IDLH Value Profiles​

NIOSH requests technical review of several draft documents that provide the scientific rationale behind the derivation of IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) values for 14 chemicals. Each of these “IDLH value profiles” summarizes the health hazards of acute exposures to high airborne concentrations of a chemical and discusses the rationale for the chemical’s proposed IDLH value. The draft IDLH value profiles cover the following chemicals: acrylonitrile, benzonitrile, methyl isocyanate, HCFC-141B, chloroacetyl chloride, chlorine pentafluoride and bromine pentafluoride, iron pentacarbonyl, 1,3-butadiene, diketene, furan, hexafluoroacetone, n-butyl acrylate, peracetic acid, and butane. NIOSH asks reviewers to consider whether the IDLH value profiles clearly outline the health hazards associated with acute exposures to each chemical and whether the rationale and logic behind the IDLH value derivation is clearly explained. The agency also requests feedback on whether the documents are organized appropriately, the conclusions are supported by the data, and the included tables are clear and appropriate. The comment period for these documents closes on June 30, 2015. See the Federal Register notice to learn about submitting comments. For more information on IDLH values, visit the NIOSH website.