A comparison of occupational exposure limits and their relationship to reactive oxide species

Publication date: Available online 7 April 2017 Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety Author(s): Tracy Zontek, Burton R. Ogle, Scott Hollenbeck, John T. Jankovic A heuristic approach to estimating toxicity and controlling exposure to emerging materials has been developed based on the amount of luminol reactive species present. Relative light units (measured with luminometer) per mg of material measured in a bulk sample are used as the measure of reactive oxide species and subsequent oxidative stress potential. Reactive oxide species are determined per unit of mass for a series of pneumoconiosis producing materials with established exposure limits as a reference. Values presented are dependent on the specific luminometer used to make the measurements and should not be considered as absolute. The materials tested in powder form included crystalline silica, titanium dioxide, aluminum, talc, graphite, wollastonite, and ferric oxide. Relative light units regressed on exposure limit was high when the exposure limit was low (Spearman’s rho=−0.8921, p<0.01). Measurement of the ROS of a material without an exposure limit may be used as a justification to limit potential respirable dust hazards utilizing control banding, administrative controls or identifying respiratory protection. A comparison such as this provides an informed basis for meaningful hazard analyses in the absence of established exposure guidelines, and may be more justifiable than assignment to ...
Source: Journal of Chemical Health and Safety - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research