Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
														Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





n-BUTYL LACTATE								Related Pages
										*OSHA comments from the January 19, 1989 Final Rule on Air Contaminants Project extracted from 54FR2332 et. seq. This rule was remanded by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the limits are not currently in force.*
**CAS:** 138-22-7; **Chemical Formula:** C7H14O3
OSHA previously had no limit for n-butyl lactate but proposed a 5-ppm 8-hour TWA limit, based on the ACGIH recommendation. NIOSH (Ex. 8-47, Table N1) concurred with the proposed 5-ppm TWA limit, and this limit is established in the final rule. Butyl lactate is a colorless liquid ester of lactic acid.
In humans, prolonged exposures to n-butyl lactate at approximately 7 ppm, with brief peak excursions to 11 ppm, caused headache, irritation of the pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa, and coughing in all workers, and occasional nausea, vomiting, and sleepiness in some (Zuidema and Pel 1969, as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 82). Headache, coughing, and irritation of the pharynx were sometimes related to n-butyl lactate concentrations of 4 ppm; however, no adverse effects were observed at a concentration of 1.4 ppm. Studies employing improved sampling and analytic methods have subsequently concluded that, although the odor of n-butyl lactate is discernible at the 7-ppm level, this concentration does not produce objectionable or injurious effects (Turner 1972/as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 82).
In the preamble discussion of the proposed limit for this substance, OSHA noted that some studies reported acute adverse effects associated with exposure levels below the proposed 5-ppm TWA limit. This was also pointed out by Dr. Grace Ziem, an independent physician (Ex. 46). Based on the study by Turner (1972, as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 82), which employed improved sampling and analytical techniques as compared to earlier studies, OSHA judges that promulgation of a 5-ppm 8-hour TWA limit will effectively protect workers from the significant risks of irritation, headache, and nausea caused by exposure to higher concentrations of n-butyl lactate. OSHA considers these adverse effects to represent material impairments of health. Therefore, OSHA is establishing a 5-ppm 8-hour TWA limit for n-butyl lactate.
										
							
								Page last reviewed:  September 28, 2011						Content source:  	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH
1988 OSHA PEL Project Documentation
Index of Chemical Names
Index of CAS Numbers Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue