This rule was remanded by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the limits are not currently in force. There was no former OSHA PEL for sodium azide. The final rule establishes this limit. In addition, a skin notation is being added to the limit in the final rule.
Sodium azide is known to produce hypotension in laboratory animals and humans.
In the 1950s, the medicinal usefulness of sodium azide as a hypotensive agent was tested in 30 hypertensive patients. The exposure levels that produce these effects were not reported by these authors. The Agency considers the effects associated with exposure to sodium azide as material impairments of health. To reduce this significant risk substantially, OSHA is establishing these ceiling limits for sodium azide in the final rule. In addition, OSHA is adding a skin notation to the PEL to alert employers to the fact that sodium azide readily penetrates intact skin and that dermal exposure can contribute significantly to overall worker exposure.