Rynek pracy · 6.12.1995

Occupational Exposure to Methylene Chloride

On October 24, 1995, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reopened the record (60 FR 54462) for the proposed revision of the regulation of methylene chloride (MC) (56 FR 57036, November 7, 1991) to incorporate recently concluded research on MC carcinogenicity. The studies incorporated in the October 24 notice address the mechanism by which MC metabolites induce lung and liver cancer in mice and draw conclusions regarding the relevance of the mouse data to the assessment of human cancer risk. OSHA determined that those studies are relevant to full consideration of concerns raised by the MC rulemaking and reopened the record until November 24, 1995, to allow the public an opportunity to comment. The October 24 notice generated substantially more interest than OSHA anticipated and the Agency is concerned that the initial 30 days was insufficient to allow full participation by interested parties. Accordingly, OSHA is reopening the comment period until December 29, 1995.