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1

2

3

4

5

6

7 IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH (IDLH) VALUE PROFILE 

8

9 FOR

10

11

12

13 PERACETIC ACID

14

15

16

17 [CAS NO. 79-21-0] 

18

19

20

21

22

23

24 Department of Health and Human Services 

25 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

26 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

27

28
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1 DISCLAIMER

2 Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational 

3 Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition, citations of Web sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH 

4 endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not 

5 responsible for the content of these Web sites. 

6

7 ORDERING INFORMATION

8 This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted. To receive NIOSH documents or 

9 other information about occupational safety and health topics, contact NIOSH at 

10 Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) 

11 TTY: 1-888-232-6348 

12 E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

13

14 or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh. 

15
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1 Foreword 

2 Chemicals are a ubiquitous component of the modern workplace. Occupational exposures to chemicals have the 

3 potential to adversely affect the health and lives of workers. Acute or short-term exposures to high concentrations 

4 of some airborne chemicals have the ability to quickly overwhelm workers, resulting in a spectrum of undesirable 

5 health outcomes that may inhibit the ability to escape from the exposure environment (e.g., irritation of the eyes 

6 and respiratory tract or cognitive impairment), cause severe irreversible effects (e.g., damage to the respiratory 

7 tract or reproductive toxicity), and in extreme cases, cause death. Airborne concentrations of chemicals capable 

8 of causing such adverse health effects or of impeding escape from high-risk conditions may arise from a variety of 

9 non-routine workplace situations , including special work procedures (e.g., in confined spaces), industrial 

10 accidents (e.g., chemical spills or explosions), and chemical releases into the community (e.g., during 

11 transportation incidents or other uncontrolled-release scenarios). 

12

13 The “immediately dangerous to life or health air concentration values (IDLH values)” developed by the National 

14 Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) characterize these high-risk exposure concentrations and 

15 conditions [NIOSH 2013]. IDLH values are based on a 30-minute exposure duration and have traditionally 

16 served as a key component of the decision logic for the selection of respiratory protection devices [NIOSH 2004]. 

17 Occupational health professionals have employed these values beyond their initial purpose as a component of the 

18 NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic to assist in developing Risk Management Plans for non-routine work practices 

19 governing operations in high-risk environments (e.g., confined spaces) and the development of Emergency 

20 Preparedness Plans. 

21

22 The approach used to derive IDLH values for high priority chemicals is outlined in the NIOSH Current 

23 Intelligence Bulletin (CIB) 66: Derivation of Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Values [NIOSH 2013]. 

24 CIB 66 provides 1) an update on the scientific basis and risk assessment methodology used to derive IDLH 

25 values, 2) the rationale and derivation process for IDLH values, and 3) a demonstration of the derivation of 

26 scientifically credible IDLH values using available data resources. The purpose of this technical report is to 

27 present the IDLH value for peracetic acid (CAS # 79-21-0). The scientific basis, toxicologic data and risk 

28 assessment approach used to derive the IDLH value are summarized to ensure transparency and scientific 

29 credibility. 

30

31 John Howard, M.D. 

32 Director 

33 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
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1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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1 Contents

2 FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................................ III

3 ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................VI

4 GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................................................................VII

5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................................................................XI

6 1.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................. 1

7 1.1 OVERVIEW OF IDLH VALUE FOR PERACETIC ACID ....................................................................................................1

8 1.2 PURPOSE .....................................................................................................................................................................1

9 1.3 GENERAL SUBSTANCE INFORMATION .........................................................................................................................2

10 2.0 ANIMAL TOXICITY DATA............................................................................................................................. 5

11 3.0 HUMAN DATA ................................................................................................................................................. 9

12 4.0 SUMMARY........................................................................................................................................................ 9

13 5.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 10

14

15

16

17

18

19
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1 Abbreviations 

2

3 ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists 

4 AEGL Acute Exposure Guideline Levels 

5 AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association 

6 BMC benchmark concentration 

7 BMCL benchmark concentration lower confidence limit 

8 C ceiling 

9 CAS chemical abstract service 

10 ERPG Emergency Response Planning Guidelines 

11 IDLH immediately dangerous to life or health 

12 LC50 median lethal concentration 

13 LCLo lowest concentration of a chemical that caused death in humans or animals 

14 LEL lower explosive limit 

15 LOAEL lowest observed adverse effect level 

mg/m3 16 milligram(s) per cubic meter 

17 NAC National Advisory Committee 

18 NAS National Academy of Sciences 

19 NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

20 NOAEL no observed adverse effect level 

21 OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

22 PEL permissible exposure limit 

23 ppm parts per million 

24 RD50 concentration of a chemical in the air that is estimated to cause a 50% decrease in the respiratory 

25 rate 

26 REL recommended exposure limit 

27 SCP Standard Completion Program 

28 STEL short term exposure limit 

29 TLV threshold limit value 

30 TWA time weighted average 

31 UEL upper explosive limit 

32 WEEL workplace environmental exposure level 
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1 Glossary

2

3 Acute Exposure: Exposure by the oral, dermal, or inhalation route for 24 hours or less. 

4

5 Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs): Threshold exposure limits for the general public applicable to 

6 emergency exposure periods ranging from 10 minutes to 8 hours. AEGL-1, AEGL 2, and AEGL-3 are 

7 developed for five exposure periods (10 and 30 minutes, 1 hour, 4 hours, and 8 hours) and are distinguished 

8 by varying degrees of severity of toxic effects ranging from transient, reversible effects to life-threatening 

9 effects [NAS 2001]. AEGLs are intended to be guideline levels used during rare events or single once-in-a10 lifetime exposures to airborne concentrations of acutely toxic, high-priority chemicals [NAS 2001]. The 

11 threshold exposure limits are designed to protect the general population, including the elderly, children or 

12 other potentially sensitive groups that are generally not considered in the development of workplace exposure 

13 recommendations (additional information available at http://www.epa.gov/oppt/aegl/). 

14

15 Acute Reference Concentration (RfC): An estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an order of magnitude) 

16 of a continuous inhalation exposure for an acute duration (24 hours or less) of the human population 

17 (including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a 

18 lifetime. It can be derived from a NOAEL, LOAEL, or benchmark concentration, with uncertainty factors 

19 (UFs) generally applied to reflect limitations of the data used. Generally used in USEPA noncancer health 

20 assessments [USEPA 2014]. 

21

22 Acute Toxicity: Any poisonous effect produced within a short period of time following an exposure, usually 24 

23 to 96 hours. 

24

25 Adverse Effect: A substance-related biochemical change, functional impairment, or pathologic lesion that affects 

26 the performance of an organ or system or alters the ability to respond to additional environmental challenges. 

27

28 Benchmark Dose/Concentration (BMD/BMC): A dose or concentration that produces a predetermined change 

29 in response rate of an effect (called the benchmark response, or BMR) compared to background [USEPA 

30 2014] (additional information available at http://www.epa.gov/ncea/bmds/). 

31

32 Benchmark Response (BMR): A predetermined change in response rate of an effect. Common defaults for the 

33 BMR are 10% or 5%, reflecting study design, data variability, and sensitivity limits used. 

34

35 BMCL: A statistical lower confidence limit on the concentration at the BMC [USEPA 2014]. 

36

37 Bolus Exposure: A single, relatively large dose. 

38

39 Ceiling Value (“C”): U.S. term in occupational exposure indicating the airborne concentration of a potentially 

40 toxic substance that should never be exceeded in a worker’s breathing zone. 

41

42 Chronic Exposure: Repeated exposure for an extended period of time. Typically exposures are more than 

43 approximately 10% of life span for humans and >90 days to 2 years for laboratory species. 

44

45 Critical Study: The study that contributes most significantly to the qualitative and quantitative assessment of risk 

46 [USEPA 2014]. 
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1

2 Dose: The amount of a substance available for interactions with metabolic processes or biologically significant 

3 receptors after crossing the outer boundary of an organism [USEPA 2014]. 

4

5 ECt50: A combination of the effective concentration of a substance in the air and the exposure duration that is 

6 predicted to cause an effect in 50% (one half) of the experimental test subjects. 

7

8 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs): Maximum airborne concentrations below which nearly all 

9 individuals can be exposed without experiencing health effects for 1-hour exposure. ERPGs are presented in a 

10 tiered fashion with health effects ranging from mild or transient to serious, irreversible, or life threatening 

11 (depending on the tier). ERPGs are developed by the American Industrial Hygiene Association [AIHA 2006]. 

12

13 Endpoint: An observable or measurable biological event or sign of toxicity ranging from biomarkers of initial 

14 response to gross manifestations of clinical toxicity. 

15

16 Exposure: Contact made between a chemical, physical, or biological agent and the outer boundary of an 

17 organism. Exposure is quantified as the amount of an agent available at the exchange boundaries of the 

18 organism (e.g., skin, lungs, gut). 

19

20 Extrapolation: An estimate of the response at a point outside the range of the experimental data, generally 

21 through the use of a mathematical model, although qualitative extrapolation may also be conducted. The 

22 model may then be used to extrapolate to response levels that cannot be directly observed. 

23

24 Hazard: A potential source of harm. Hazard is distinguished from risk, which is the probability of harm under 

25 specific exposure conditions. 

26

27 Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) condition: A situation that poses a threat of exposure to 

28 airborne contaminants when that exposure is likely to cause death or immediate or delayed permanent adverse 

29 health effects or prevent escape from such an environment [NIOSH 2004, 2013]. 

30

31 IDLH value: A maximum (airborne concentration) level above which only a highly reliable breathing apparatus 

32 providing maximum worker protection is permitted [NIOSH 2004, 2013]. IDLH values are based on a 30-

33 minute exposure duration. 

34

35 LC01: The statistically determined concentration of a substance in the air that is estimated to cause death in 1% of 

36 the test animals. 

37

38 LC50: The statistically determined concentration of a substance in the air that is estimated to cause death in 50% 

39 (one half) of the test animals; median lethal concentration. 

40

41 LCLO: The lowest lethal concentration of a substance in the air reported to cause death, usually for a small 

42 percentage of the test animals. 

43

44

45 LD50: The statistically determined lethal dose of a substance that is estimated to cause death in 50% (one half) of 

46 the test animals; median lethal concentration. 
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1

2 LDLO: The lowest dose of a substance that causes death, usually for a small percentage of the test animals. 

3

4 LEL: The minimum concentration of a gas or vapor in air, below which propagation of a flame does not occur in 

5 the presence of an ignition source. 

6

7 Lethality: Pertaining to or causing death; fatal; referring to the deaths resulting from acute toxicity studies. May 

8 also be used in lethality threshold to describe the point of sufficient substance concentration to begin to cause 

9 death. 

10

11 Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL): The lowest tested dose or concentration of a substance that 

12 has been reported to cause harmful (adverse) health effects in people or animals. 

13

14 Mode of Action: The sequence of significant events and processes that describes how a substance causes a toxic 

15 outcome. Mode of action is distinguished from the more detailed mechanism of action, which implies a more 

16 detailed understanding on a molecular level. 

17

18 No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL): The highest tested dose or concentration of a substance that has 

19 been reported to cause no harmful (adverse) health effects in people or animals. 

20

21 Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL): Workplace exposure recommendations developed by governmental 

22 agencies and non-governmental organizations. OELs are intended to represent the maximum airborne 

23 concentrations of a chemical substance below which workplace exposures should not cause adverse health 

24 effects. OELs may apply to ceiling, short-term (STELs), or time-weighted average (TWA) limits. 

25

26 Peak Concentration: Highest concentration of a substance recorded during a certain period of observation. 

27

28 Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): Occupational exposure limits developed by OSHA (29 CFR 1910.1000) or 

29 MSHA (30 CFR 57.5001) for allowable occupational airborne exposure concentrations. PELs are legally 

30 enforceable and may be designated as ceiling, STEL, or TWA limits. 

31

32 Point of Departure (POD): The point on the dose–response curve from which dose extrapolation is initiated. 

33 This point can be the lower bound on dose for an estimated incidence or a change in response level from a 

34 concentration-response model (BMC), or it can be a NOAEL or LOAEL for an observed effect selected from 

35 a dose evaluated in a health effects or toxicology study. 

36

37 RD50: The statistically determined concentration of a substance in the air that is estimated to cause a 50% (one 

38 half) decrease in the respiratory rate. 

39

40 Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Recommended maximum exposure limit to prevent adverse health 

41 effects based on human and animal studies and established for occupational (up to 10-hour shift, 40-hour 

42 week) inhalation exposure by NIOSH. RELs may be designated as ceiling, STEL, or TWA limits. 

43

44 Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL): A worker’s 15-minute time-weighted average exposure concentration that 

45 shall not be exceeded at any time during a work day. 

46
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1 Target Organ: Organ in which the toxic injury manifests in terms of dysfunction or overt disease. 

2

3 Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®): Recommended guidelines for occupational exposure to airborne 

4 contaminants, published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). TLVs 

5 refer to airborne concentrations of chemical substances and represent conditions under which it is believed 

6 that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, over a working lifetime, without adverse 

7 effects. TLVs may be designated as ceiling, short-term (STELs), or 8-hr TWA limits. 

8

9 Time-Weighted Average (TWA): A worker’s 8-hour (or up to 10-hour) time-weighted average exposure 

10 concentration that shall not be exceeded during an 8-hour (or up to 10-hour) work shift of a 40-hour week. 

11 The average concentration is weighted to take into account the duration of different exposure concentrations. 

12

13 Toxicity: The degree to which a substance is able to cause an adverse effect on an exposed organism. 

14

15 Uncertainty Factors (UFs): Mathematical adjustments applied to the POD when developing IDLH values. The 

16 UFs for IDLH value derivation are determined by considering the study and effect used for the POD, with 

17 further modification based on the overall database. 

18

19 Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEELs): Exposure levels developed by the American Industrial 

20 Hygiene Association (AIHA) that provide guidance for protecting most workers from adverse health effects 

21 related to occupational chemical exposures expressed as a TWA or ceiling limit.
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1 Acknowledgments 

2

3 This document was developed by the Education and Information Division (Paul Schulte, Ph.D., Director). G. 

4 Scott Dotson, Ph.D., was the project officer and lead NIOSH author for this technical report. The basis for this 

5 document was a report contracted by NIOSH and prepared by Andrew Maier, Ph.D., Ann Parker, and Lynn 

6 Haber, Ph.D. (Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment [TERA]). 

7

8 Education and Information Division 

9 Devin Baker, M.Ed. 

10 Charles L. Geraci, Ph.D. 

11 Thomas J. Lentz, Ph.D. 

12 Richard Niemeier, Ph.D. 

13 Chris Sofge, Ph.D. 

14

15 NIOSH would like to acknowledge the contribution of the following subject matter experts for their critical 

16 technical review of this report. 

17

18 Mary A. Fox, Ph.D., Assistant Professor; Co-Director, Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute; 

19 Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins 

20 University 

21

22 Richard B. Schlesinger, Ph.D., Fellow A.T.S., Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research 

23 Professor of Biology, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pace University 
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1 1.0 Introduction 

2

3 1.1 Overview of IDLH Value for Peracetic Acid 

4

IDLH Value: 1.7 mg/m3 5 (0.64 ppm)

6

Basis for IDLH Value: A human study [Fraser and Thorbinson 1986] reported that exposure to 4.67 mg/m3 7 for 

8 12 minutes caused slight to mild irritation, which is classified as a potentially escape- impairing effect, and 

exposure to 6.23 mg/m3 9 for 60 minutes caused extreme discomfort and possibly escape-impairing effects. The 

threshold for severe irritation lies between these two values. In order to be health protective, 4.67 mg/m3 10 is 

selected as the point of departure. Time adjustment to a 30-minute equivalent concentration yields 5 mg/m3 11 . 

12 Applying a composite uncertainty factor of 3 to account for extrapolation from a concentration that potentially 

causes escape-impairing effects in humans, results in an IDLH value of 1.7 mg/m3 13 . 

14

15 1.2 Purpose 

16

17 This IDLH Value Profile presents (1) a brief summary of technical data associated with acute inhalation 

18 exposures to n-butyl acrylate and (2) the rationale behind the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) 

19 value for peracetic acid. IDLH values are developed based on the scientific rationale and logic outlined in the 

20 NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB) 66: Derivation of Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) 

21 Values [NIOSH 2013]. As described in CIB 66, NIOSH performs in-depth literature searches to ensure that all 

22 relevant data from human and animal studies with acute exposures to the substance are identified. Information 

23 included in CIB 66 on the literature search includes pertinent databases, key terms, and guides for evaluating data 

24 quality and relevance for the establishment of an IDLH value. The information that is identified in the in-depth 

25 literature search is evaluated with general considerations that include description of studies (i.e., species, study 

26 protocol, exposure concentration and duration), health endpoint evaluated, and critical effect levels (e.g., 

27 NOAELs, LOAELs, LC50 values). For peracetic acid, the in-depth literature search was conducted through 

28 February 2014. 

29

30

31

32

33
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1 1.3 General Substance Information 

2

3 Chemical: Peracetic acid 

4 CAS No: 79-21-0 

Synonyms: Ethaneperoxoic acid; Peroxyacetic acid* 5

Chemical category: Organic peroxides† 6

7 Structural formula: 

8

9

10

11

12 Table 1 highlights selected physiochemical properties of peracetic acid relevant to IDLH conditions. Table 2 

13 provides alternative exposure guidelines for peracetic acid. Table 3 summarizes the Acute Exposure Guidelines 

14 Level (AEGL) values for peracetic acid. 

15

16 Table 1: Physiochemical Properties of Peracetic Acid 

17

Property Value 

Molecular weight 76.05‡

Chemical formula C2H4O3

Description Colorless liquid 

Odor Disagreeable, pungent; Acrid

Odor Threshold Not available 

UEL Not available 

LEL Not available 

Vapor pressure 14.5 mmHg at 25°C (77°F)‡

Flash point 40.6°C (105°F)‡

Ignition temperature 200°C (392°F)‡

Solubility Mixable in water†

18 Abbreviation: C° – Celsius; °F – Fahrenheit; mmHg – millimeter mercury; LEL – lower explosive limit; UEL – upper explosive limit * 19 NLM [2014] 

† 20 IFA [2014] 

‡ 21 HSDB [2014]

22

23

24

25

26

27

O

CH3

O

OH
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1 Table 2: Alternative Exposure Guidelines for Peracetic Acid 

2

Organization Value 

Original (SCP) IDLH value None 

NIOSH REL Not available 

OSHA PEL [2014] Not available 

ACGIH TLV [2014] Not available 

AIHA ERPG [2010] Not available 

AIHA WEEL [2010] Not available 

3 Abbreviation: ACGIH – American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists; AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene 

4 Association; ERPG – Emergency Response Preparedness Guidelines; IDLH – immediately dangerous to life or health; NIOSH – National 

5 Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration; PEL – permissible exposure limit; 

6 REL – recommended exposure limit; SCP – Standards Completion Program; WEEL – workplace environmental exposure level 

7 
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1 Table 3: AEGL Values for Peracetic Acid 2

Classification 10-min 30-min 1-hour 4-hour 8-hour Endpoint [AEGL-1 0.17 ppm 

0.52 mg/m3

0.17 ppm 0.52 mg/m3

0.17 ppm 0.52 mg/m3

0.17 ppm 0.52 mg/m3

0.17 ppm 0.52 mg/m3

Threshold [Fraser an1986; McD

AEGL-2 0.51 ppm 

1.6 mg/m3

0.51 ppm 1.6 mg/m3

0.51 ppm 1.6 mg/m3

0.51 ppm 1.6 mg/m3

0.51 ppm 1.6 mg/m3

Mild irritaand Thorb

AEGL-3 19.2 ppm 

60.0 mg/m3

9.6 ppm 30.0 mg/m3

4.8 ppm 15.0 mg/m3

2.0 ppm 6.3 mg/m3

1.3 ppm 4.1 mg/m3

Highest cocausing no [Janssen 1

Abbreviation: AEGL – acute exposure guideline levels; mg/m3 3 – milligrams per cubic meter; min – minute; ppm – parts per million * 4 References: NAS [2010] 
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1 2.0 Animal Toxicity Data 

2

3 No exposure data are available for pure peracetic acid. Technical or commercial peracetic acid products contain 

4 peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and small amounts of sulfuric acid. Peracetic acid is unstable and 

5 decomposes to sulfuric acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. Peracetic acid is extremely irritating to the 

respiratory tract of animals. Janssen [1989a] exposed male CPB-WU Wistar rats (nose-only) to Proxitane 1507® 6

7 (15% peracetic acid, ~28% acetic acid, 14% hydrogen peroxide, ~1% stabilizer, and ~43% water) at 320 mg 

peracetic acid/m3

 for 15 or 30 minutes, 390 mg peracetic acid /m3 for 60 minutes, or 1450 mg peracetic acid/m3 8

9 for 60 minutes. Janssen [1989b] performed a second study exposing male CPB-WU Wistar rats (nose-only) to 

Proxitane 1507® at 499 mg peracetic acid/m3

 for 15 minutes, 304 or 578 mg peracetic acid/m3 10 for 30 minutes, 329 

or 589 mg peracetic acid/m3

 for 60 minutes, or 172 or 355 mg peracetic acid /m3 for 90 minutes 11 Reduced 

12 respiratory rate, respiratory difficulties, blood around the nose and mouth, sneezing, and rubbing the nose were 

13 observed at all concentrations except the control, with the severity increasing from slight to severe as the exposure 

concentration increased. In a preliminary study, Janssen [1989c] exposed rats to Proxitane 1507® 14 containing 

15 varying ratios of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. There was no clear concentration-related trend, and the 

estimated RD50 (50% depression in respiratory rates) values ranged from 21.5 to 24.1 mg peracetic acid/m3 16 , 

17 depending on which groups were included in the calculation. In a follow-up study conducted with higher 

concentrations of Proxitane 1507® 18 (components same as for Janssen 1989a), peracetic acid concentrations ranging 

from 221 to 461.5 mg peracetic acid/m3 19 caused 71-74% decreases in respiratory rate during a 25-minute exposure 

20 [Janssen 1990]. Another rat study [Janssen and Van Doorn 1994] exposed male and female rats (nose only) to 87, 

163, 185, or 267 mg/m3

 of Proxitane AHC® 21 (4.7-5.4% (~5%) peracetic acid, 19% (minimum) hydrogen peroxide, 

22 10% acetic acid, water, and 1% surfactant) for 4 hours. Clinical signs including apathy, respiratory difficulties, 

23 reduced respiratory rate, noisy breathing, drooping upper eyelids, twitching, hypothermia, abnormal gait and 

posture, crusts on nose, and blood under cage were observed in the 87 mg/m3 24 exposure group; the higher exposure 

25 groups had the same signs, with the addition of cyanosis, lacrimation, and salivation. 

26

27 Merka and Urban [1978] exposed mice for 60 minutes to 150, 300, 450, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,300, or 1,600 mg 

peracetic acid/m3 28 as laboratory peracetic acid (made from acetic acid and hydrogen with sulfuric acid as the 

catalyst, but containing no sulfuric acid) or Persteril® 29 (commercial product containing 40% peracetic acid). 

Similar LC50 values of 524 mg peracetic acid/m3

 and 512 mg peracetic acid/m3 30 were obtained for laboratory 

31 peracetic acid and for Persteril, respectively, indicating that the small amount of sulfuric acid in Persteril had no 
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1 effect on lethality in the mouse. Clinical signs were similar to the ones seen in rats: eye and nasal discharge with 

2 nose rubbing, respiratory distress, gasping, increased respiration, restlessness, bristling fur, and red swollen 

3 drooping eyelids. Histological examination revealed lung lesions with concentration-related severity. 

4

5 Table 4 summarizes the LC data identified in animal studies and provides 30-minute equivalent derived values for 

6 peracetic acid. Table 5 provides non-lethal data reported in animal studies with 30-minute equivalent derived 

7 values. Information in these tables includes species of test animals, toxicological metrics (i.e., LC, NOAEL, 

8 LOAEL), adjusted 30-minute concentration, and the justification for the composite uncertainty factors applied to 

9 calculate the derived values. 

10

11 
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1 Table 4: Lethal Concentration Data for Peracetic Acid2

Reference Species LC50

(mg/m3)

LCLo

(mg/m3)

Time (min) 

Adjusted 30-min Concentration*(mg/m3) 

Composite Uncertainty Factor 

Merka and Urban [1978] Mice 524 -- 60 660 30‡ Janssen [1989a] Rat 476 -- 30 476 30‡ Janssen and Van Doorn [1994] Rat 204 -- 240 748 30‡ 

34 Abbreviation: LC – lethal concentration; LC50 – median lethal concentration; LCLo – lowest concentration of a chemical that caused death 5 minute; ppm – parts per million 

* For exposures other than 30 minutes the ten Berge et al. [1986] relationship is used for duration adjustment (Cn 6 x t = k). NAS [2008] emp

7 rats; no time scaling was used for the human studies, based on the absence of increased irritation with exposure duration. The default value 8 since the study duration was >30 minutes and no data were available supporting a species-specific value. 9 †The derived value is the result of the adjusted 30-minute LC value divided by the composite uncertainty factor. 

10 ‡Composite uncertainty factor to account for adjustment of LC50 values to LC01 values, use of lethal concentration threshold in animals, inte11 human variability.
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1 Table 5: Non-lethal Concentration Data for Peracetic Acid 2

Reference Species NOAEL 

(mg/m3) 

LOAEL (mg/m3) 

Time (min) 

Adjusted 30-min Concentration* 

Composite Uncertainty Factor 

DeVa(m

Fraser and Thorbinson [1986] Human -- 15.6 7 16 3‡ 5.3 Fraser and Thorbinson [1986] Human -- 9.4 20 9 3‡ 3 Fraser and Thorbinson [1986] Human -- 6.2 60 6 3‡ 2 Fraser and Thorbinson [1986] Human -- 4.7 12 5 3‡ 1.7 

34 Abbreviation: NOAEL – no observed adverse effect level; min – minute; LOAEL – lowest observed adverse effect level; ppm – parts per 5 * For exposures other than 30 minutes the ten Berge et al. [1986] relationship is used for duration adjustment (Cn x t = k). NAS [2008] emp6 rats; no time scaling was used for the human studies, based on the absence of increased irritation with exposure duration. The default value 7 since the study duration was >30 minutes and no data were available supporting a species-specific value. 8 †The derived value is the result of the adjusted 30-min value divided by the composite uncertainty factor. The composite uncertainty factor 9 based on the nature and severity of the endpoint observed. 

10 ‡Composite uncertainty factor assigned to account for human variability. 
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1 3.0 Human Data 

2

3 No human lethality studies for peracetic acid were located. Peracetic acid is highly irritating to the human eye 

4 and nasal mucous membranes [Bock et al. 1975]. A case study [McDonagh 1997] reported that concentrations of 

1.56-1.87 mg/m3 5 (0.5-0.6 ppm) were not immediately irritating but that this concentration range was considered 

6 “unpleasant for an extended period of time.” Fraser and Thorbinson [1986] exposed volunteers (number of 

7 subjects not reported) to fogged Peratol diluted 1:20 (5% peracetic acid, corresponding to 1904 mg/L in the liquid 

8 formulation) for about 2 hours of continuous fogging, followed by 45 minutes of monitoring after the fogger was 

9 turned off. Exposure and effects were measured at various time points during the study and at various distances 

10 from the fogger; exposure levels tended to decrease with time. The authors reported lacrimation at 15.6 mg 

peracetic acid/m3

, extreme discomfort and mucous membrane irritation at 6.23 mg peracetic acid/m3 11 , slight to 

mild discomfort at 1.56-4.67 mg peracetic acid/m3

, and no discomfort at 1.56 mg peracetic acid/m3 12 . Because of 

13 the nature of the exposure protocol, these concentrations may not reflect continuous exposures at these 

14 concentrations. 

15

16 4.0 Summary 

17

18 Both animal and human data exist for peracetic acid. Although an appropriate animal study exists for derivation 

19 of an IDLH, exposures were 2 orders of magnitude higher than those causing possible escape impairing effects in 

humans. Fraser and Thorbinson [1986] reported that exposure to 4.67 mg/m3 20 for 12 minutes caused slight to mild 

irritation, and exposure to 6.23 mg/m3 21 for 60 minutes caused extreme discomfort and possibly escape impairing 

22 effects. These effects are can be classified as potentially escape impairing. The threshold for severe irritation lies 

between these two values. In order to be health protective 4.67 mg/m3 23 is selected as the point of departure. Time 

adjustment to a 30-minute equivalent concentration yields 5 mg/m3 24 . Applying an uncertainty factor of 3 to 

account for human variability results in an IDLH value of 1.7 mg/m3 25 . 

26

27

28 
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policy.

1 5.0 References 

2

3 ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) [2014]. Annual TLVs® (Threshold Limit 

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5

6 AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) [2009]. AIHA Emergency Response Planning (ERP) 

7 Committee procedures and responsibilities. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association. 

8

9 AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) [2010]. Emergency response planning guidelines (ERPG) and 

10 workplace environmental exposure levels (WEEL) handbook. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene 

11 Association Press. 

12

13 Bock FG, Meyers HK, Fox HW [1975]. Cocarcinogenic activity of peroxy compounds. J Nat Cancer Inst 

14 55:1359–1361. 

15

16 Fraser JAL, Thorbinson A [1986]. Fogging trials with Tenneco Organics Limited (30th June, 1986) at Collards 

17 Farm. 

18

19 HSDB [2014]. Hazardous Substances Data Bank [http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi20 bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~tfkhc8:1] Peracetic Acid - CAS No. 79-21-0. Date accessed: August 1, 2014. 

21

22 IFA (Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung) [2014]. GESTIS: database on 

23 hazardous substances. 

24 [http://gestis-en.itrust.de/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=gestiseng:sdbeng]. Date accessed: 

25 March 17, 2014. 

26

27 Janssen PJM [1989a]. Acute inhalation toxicity studies of Proxitane 1507 in male rats (I). Report No. S. 8906, Int. 

28 Doc. No. 56645/25/89. 

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30 Janssen PJM [1989b]. Acute inhalation toxicity studies of Proxitane 1507 in male rats (II). Report No. S. 8908, 

31 Int. Doc. No. 56645/34/89. 

32

33 Janssen PJM [1989c]. Acute inhalation study to investigate the respiratory irritating properties of Proxitane 1507 

34 in male rats. Duphar B.V., Report No. S. 8912, Int. Doc. No. 56645/40/89. 

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36 Janssen PJM [1990]. Preliminary acute inhalation study to investigate the respiratory irritating properties of 

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39 Janssen PJM, van Doorn WM [1994]. Acute inhalation toxicity study with Proxitane AHC in male and female 

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42 Merka V, Urban R [1978]. Study of inhalation toxicity of performic, peracetic and perpropionic acid in mice. J 

43 Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol 20:54–63. 

44
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information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or 

policy.

1 McDonagh J [1997]. Atmospheric monitoring of peracetic acid on the existing caprolactone plant distillation 

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3 to R.A. Haffenden et al. dated 30 April 1997. 

4

5 NAS (National Academy of Science) [2001]. Standing operating procedures for developing Acute Exposure 

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9

10 NAS (National Academies of Science) [2010]. Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) for selected airborne 

11 chemicals - Volume: 8. Peracetic acid (CAS Reg. No. 79-21-0). NAS, National Research Council, Committee on 

12 Toxicology, Subcommittee on Acute Exposure Guideline Levels National Academy Press: Washington, DC. 

13 [http://www.epa.gov/oppt/aegl/pubs/results80.htm]. Data accessed: August 1, 2014. 

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15 NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) [2004]. NIOSH respirator selection logic. 

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18 [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-100/pdfs/2005-100.pdf]. Date accessed: March 17, 2014. 

19

20 NIOSH [2013]. NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 66: Derivation of Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health 

21 (IDLH) Values. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control 

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23 100. 

24 [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2014-100/pdfs/2014-100.pdf]. Date accessed: March 17, 2014. 

25

26 NIOSH [2014]. NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and 

27 Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

28 Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149. [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/]. Date accessed: March 17, 

29 2014. 

30

31 NLM (National Library of Medicine) [2014]. ChemIDplus lite [http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/]. Date 

32 accessed: August 1, 2014. 

33

34 OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) [2014]. Occupational Safety and Health Standards. 29 

35 CFR 1910. Subpart Z -- Toxic and Hazardous Substances. OSHA; Washington, DC 

36 [http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9992]. Date accessed: 

37 August 1, 2014. 

38

39 ten Berge WF, Zwart A, Appelman LM [1986]. Concentration-time mortality response relationship of irritant and 

40 systematically acting vapors and gases. J Haz Mat 13:301–309. 

41

42 USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) [2014]. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). 

43 [http://www.epa.gov/iris/]. Date accessed: March 17, 2014. 

44