Rynek pracy · 10/24/1995

Occupational Exposure to Methylene Chloride

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reopening the record for the proposed revision of the methylene chloride (MC) standard (56 FR 57036, November 7, 1991) for comments on recently conducted research regarding MC metabolism. OSHA's proposed MC risk assessment for cancer was based primarily on extrapolations from mouse bioassay data. The proposal and the hearing notice (57 FR 24438, June 9, 1992) solicited input regarding the relevance of metabolic and physiological differences between mice and humans when assessing human cancer risk. As a result, the rulemaking record already contains considerable information, comment and testimony regarding this issue. The new studies address the potential pathway(s) 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 has determined that these studies are relevant to full consideration of concerns raised by the MC rulemaking. Therefore, OSHA is reopening the record to allow the public an opportunity to comment.