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Propylene oxide																				Related Pages
										May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
**CAS number:** 75–56–9
**NIOSH REL:** None established; NIOSH considers propylene oxide to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].
**Current OSHA PEL:** 100 ppm (240 mg/m3) TWA
**1989 OSHA PEL:** 20 ppm (50 mg/m3) TWA
**1993-1994 ACGIH TLV:** 20 ppm (48 mg/m3) TWA
**Description of substance:** Colorless liquid with a benzene-like odor.
**LEL**: . 2.3% (10% LEL, 2,300 ppm)
**Original (SCP) IDLH:** 2,000 ppm
**Basis for original (SCP) IDLH:** The chosen IDLH is based on the dog 4-hour LCLO of 2,005 ppm and the mouse 4-hour LC50 of 1,740 ppm [Jacobson et al. 1956 cited by NIOSH 1976].
**Short-term exposure guidelines:** None developed
**ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:**
**Lethal concentration data:**

**Species**
    **Reference**
    **LC50 (ppm)**
    **LCLo (ppm)**
    **Time**
    **Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF)**
    **Derived value**Mouse DogRatG. pigRat
    Jacobson et al. 1956 Jacobson et al. 1956Jacobson et al. 1956Rowe et al. 1956Smyth et al. 1969
    1,740 -----4,000-----LC67: 4,000
    ----- 2,005-----4,000-----
    4 hr 4 hr4 hr4 hr4 hr
    3,480 ppm (2.0) 4,010 ppm (2.0)8,000 ppm (2.0)8,000 ppm (2.0)8,000 ppm (2.0)
    348 ppm 401 ppm800 ppm800 ppm800 ppm**Lethal dose data:**
 
 **Species**
    **Reference**
    **Route**
    **LD50 (mg/kg)**
    **LDLo (mg/kg)**
    **Adjusted LD**
    **Derived value**G. pig RatMouseRatG. pig
    Gig Tr Prof Zabol 1981 Pugaeva et al. 1970Pugaeva et al. 1970Smyth et al. 1941Smyth et al. 1941
    oral oraloraloraloral
    660 3804401,140690
    ----- --------------------
    1,909 ppm 1,099 ppm1,273 ppm3,298 ppm4,830 ppm
    191 ppm 110 ppm127 ppm330 ppm483 ppm**Human data:** None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
 
 **Revised IDLH:** 400 ppm **Basis for revised IDLH:** The revised IDLH for propylene oxide is 400 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Jacobson et al. 1956]. [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for propylene oxide at any detectable concentration.]**REFERENCES:**
1. Gig Tr Prof Zabol [1981]; *46*(7):76 (in Russian).
2. Jacobson KH, Hackley EB, Feinsilver L [1956]. The toxicity of inhaled ethylene oxide and propylene oxide vapors. Acute and chronic toxicity of ethylene oxide and acute toxicity of propylene oxide. AMA Arch Ind Health *13*(3):237-244.
3. NIOSH [1976]. TZ29750. Propane, 1,2-epoxy-. In: Registry of toxic effects of chemical substances, 1976 ed. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 76-191, p. 968.
4. Pugaeva VP, Klochkova SE, et al. [1970]. Experimental materials on hygienic reglamentation of propylene oxide. Gig Tr Prof Zabol *14*(11):55-57 (in Russian).
5. Rowe VK, Hollingsworth RL, Oyen F, McCollister DD, Spencer HC [1956]. Toxicity of propylene oxide determined on experimental animals. AMA Arch Ind Health *13*:228-236.
6. Smyth HF Jr, Carpenter CP, Weil CS, Pozzani UC, Striegel JA, Nycum JS [1969]. Range-finding toxicity data: list VII. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J *30*(5):470-476.
7. Smyth HF, Seaton J, Fisher L [1941]. The single dose toxicity of some glycols and derivatives. J Ind Hyg Toxicol *23*:259-268.

			
							
								Page last reviewed:  December 4, 2014						Content
							source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Publications & Products
Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health (IDLH) Values
Table of IDLH Values
Criteria for Determining IDLH Values
Historical Documentation
Original (SCP) Values
Abbreviations for IDLH Documentation
Abbreviations for Journal Titles Follow NIOSH Facebook
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