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http://dx.doi.org/10.15269/JKSOEH.2015.25.1.45

Study on the Chemical Management - 1. Chemical Characteristics and Occupational Exposure Limits under Occupational Safety and Health Act of Korea  

Park, Jihoon (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Ham, Seunghon (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Kim, Sunju (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Lee, Kwonseob (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
Ha, Kwonchul (Department of Biochemistry and Health Science, Changwon National University)
Park, Donguk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Yoon, Chungsik (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene / v.25, no.1, 2015 , pp. 45-57 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to compare the physicochemical characteristics, toxicological data with Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) of chemicals under the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) regulated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor of Korea. Methods: Information on chemicals which have OELs on physicochemical characteristics and toxicological data was collected using Material Safety Data Sheet(MSDS) from Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) and the Korea Information System for Chemical Safety Management(KISChem) in 2014. Statistical analyses including correlation and simple regression were performed to compare the OELs with chemical characteristics including molecular weight, boiling point, odor threshold, vapor pressure, vapor density, solubility and octanol-water partition coefficient(OWPC) and toxicological data such as median lethal dose($LD_{50}$) and median lethal concentration($LC_{50}$). Results: A total of 656 chemicals have OELs under OSHA in Korea. The numbers of chemicals which have eight-hour time weighted average(TWA) and short term exposure limits(STEL) are 618 and 190, respectively. TWA was significantly correlated with boiling point and STEL was only correlated with vapor pressure among physicochemical characteristics. Solubility and OWPC between "skin" and "no skin" substances which indicate skin penetration were not significantly different. Both $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ were correlated with TWA, while the $LC_{50}$ was not with STEL. As health indicators, health rating and Emergency Response Planning Guidelines(ERPG) rating as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) and American Industrial Hygiene Association(AIHA) were associated with OELs and reflect the chemical hazards. Conclusions: We found relationships between OEL and chemical information including physicochemical characteristics and toxicological data. The study has an important meaning for understanding present regulatory OELs.
Keywords
Chemicals; physicochemical characteristics; toxicity; health; exposure limit;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 5  (Citation Analysis)
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