1,4-Dioxane and Resources to Protect Workers from Exposure Hazards

1,4-Dioxane is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor that easily dissolves in water. It is used primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals and as a laboratory reagent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the United States and goes on to share that it does not readily biodegrade in the environment.

The solvent is used in a number of industries and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides examples of some of the workers at potential risk of exposure. The list includes:

• Employees working in scientific laboratories
• Workers exposed to certain types of industrial solvents
• Factory workers involved in producing some cosmetics
• Workers in paper pulping industries

“Occupational exposure to 1,4-dioxane is most likely to occur by breathing contaminated air or skin contact,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “NIOSH reports that exposure can harm the eyes, skin, lungs, liver and kidneys, and that 1,4-dioxane may cause cancer. Back in 1988, it was added to California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) also reports exposure to high levels of 1,4-dioxane in air can result in nasal cavity damage. To protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for 1,4-dioxane. Cal/OSHA also has its own PEL.”

The industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at CSC work with industries that utilize 1,4-dioxane and other industrial chemicals to identify and mitigate potential exposure risks. CSC offers testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to protect workers and help businesses comply with health and safety regulations. CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about 1,4-dioxane and occupational exposure hazards that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/p7DoxZDPcSw

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail