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





PROPARGYL ALCOHOL								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:** 107-19-7; **Chemical Formula:** HC = CCH2OH
Previously, OSHA had no limit for propargyl alcohol. The ACGIH has established an 8-hour TWA of 1 ppm, with a skin notation, for this straw-colored liquid, which smells like geraniums. The proposed PEL was an 8-hour TWA of 1 ppm, with a skin notation. NIOSH (Ex. 8-47, Table N1) concurs with this limit, which is established in the final rule.
In rats, guinea pigs, and mice, the oral LD(50)s are 70, 60, and 50 mg/kg, respectively; the 2-hour inhalation LC(50) in both the rat and mouse is reported to be about 850 ppm (NIOSH 1977i/Ex. 1-1182). The dermal LD(50) in rabbits is 88 mg/kg (RTECS).
Propargyl alcohol is a primary skin irritant, but it is not a skin sensitizer (Antara Chemicals 1952, as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 496). The toxicity of propargyl alcohol is estimated to be equal to that of allyl alcohol (oral LD(50) in rats of 64 mg/kg) (NIOSH 1977i/Ex. 1182). The ACGIH limit is based on the structural and toxicological similarity of propargyl alcohol to allyl alcohol (ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 496). Grace Ziem, an occupational physician, commented (Ex. 46) that the ACGIH Documentation (1986/Ex. 1-3) for propargyl alcohol neglects to mention this substance’s ability to cause “degenerative changes in liver and kidneys in [an] 89-day rat study” that is cited by Rowe and McCollister (1982) in (Patty’s Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1982, Vol. 2C, p. 4673) and also overlooks the fact that propargyl ahcohol is a “moderate CNS depressant.” OSHA agrees with Dr. Ziem that this substance has these effects which, in OSHA’s opinion, point to the need for the limits being established in this final rule.
OSHA is establishing in the final rule an 8-hour TWA for propargyl alcohol of 1 ppm, with a skin notation. The Agency concludes that these limits will protect workers against the significant risk of skin and mucous membrane irritation, CNS depression, and liver and kidney damage, all of which constitute material impairments of health that are associated with exposure to this substance at levels above the new limit.
										
							
								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