[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24207-24208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09651]



[[Page 24207]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[CDC-2013-0005; NIOSH-263]


Request for Information About Diethanolamine (CAS No. 111-42-2)

AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends 
to evaluate the scientific data on diethanolamine, and develop 
appropriate communication documents, such as a Criteria Document, which 
will convey the potential health risks, recommended measures for safe 
handling, and establish an updated Recommended Exposure Limit (REL). 
The current NIOSH REL for diethanolamine is 3 parts per million (ppm) 
as a time-weighted average (TWA) concentration for up to a 10-hr work 
shift during a 40-hr workweek.
    NIOSH is requesting information on the following: (1) Published and 
unpublished reports and findings from in vitro and in vivo toxicity 
studies with diethanolamine; (2) information on possible health effects 
observed in workers exposed to diethanolamine, including exposure data 
and the method(s) used for sampling and analyzing exposures; (3) 
description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential for exposure 
to diethanolamine; (4) information on control measures (e.g. 
engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment, 
exposure data before and after implementation of control measures) that 
are being used in workplaces with potential exposure to diethanolamine; 
and (5) surveillance findings including protocol, methods, and results.
    Public Comment Period: Comments must be received by June 24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2013-0005 and 
Docket Number NIOSH-263, by either of the two following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 
MS-C34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
    Instructions: All information received in response to this notice 
must include the agency name and docket number (CDC-2013-0005; NIOSH-
263). All relevant comments received will be posted without change to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. All electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft 
Word. Please make reference to CDC-2013-0005 and Docket Number NIOSH-
263.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Reynolds, MPH, NIOSH, Robert 
A Taft Laboratories, MS-C32, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 
45226, telephone (513) 533-8531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Diethanolamine is a highly reactive 
compound. It decomposes on burning producing toxic fumes. 
Diethanolamine reacts violently with oxidants and strong acids. 
Diethanolamine is used to produce surface active agents widely used in 
soaps, cosmetics and personal care items. It also has other uses 
including as an absorbent in gas purification, as a dispersing agent in 
agricultural chemicals, a corrosion inhibitor and wetting agent in 
metalworking fluids.
    The annual production of diethanolamine in the United States was 
estimated in 1995 to be 106,000 tons (Technology Planning and 
Management Corp, 2002). NIOSH estimates from the National Occupational 
Exposure Survey (NIOSH 1989) that the number of workers potentially 
exposed to diethanolamine is approximately 830,000/year.
    Significant occupational exposures to diethanolamine are through 
the skin (dermal) and via inhalation (lung) during the use of 
lubricating liquids in various processes in machine building. Chronic 
exposure to diethanolamine can cause skin sensitization. Diethanolamine 
is also corrosive to the eyes. The current REL for diethanolamine is 3 
ppm as a TWA concentration for up to a 10-hr work shift during a 40-hr 
workweek. The NIOSH REL was established as a result of testimony 
submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 
on their proposed rulemaking of Air Contaminants in 1988. Currently, 
concentrations below the REL can be detected and quantified. As part of 
an effort to identify RELs that may not be adequate to protect workers 
from adverse health effects due to exposure, NIOSH is reexamining the 
REL for diethanolamine. There is no OSHA permissible exposure limit 
(PEL) for diethanolamine. The American Conference of Governmental 
Hygienists (ACGIH[supreg]) threshold limit value (TLV[supreg])--TWA for 
diethanolamine is 1 mg/m\3\ (inhalable fraction and vapor), with a Skin 
notation (indicating danger of cutaneous absorption), and an A3 
carcinogenicity classification (confirmed animal carcinogen with 
unknown relevance to humans).
    NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, including published and 
unpublished reports and research findings, to evaluate the possible 
health risks of occupational exposure to diethanolamine. Examples of 
requested information include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (1) Identification of industries or occupations in which exposures 
to diethanolamine may occur.
    (2) Trends in the production and use of diethanolamine.
    (3) Description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential for 
exposure to diethanolamine.
    (4) Workplace exposure measurement data of diethanolamine in 
various types of industries and jobs.
    (5) Case reports or other health information demonstrating 
potential health effects in workers exposed to diethanolamine.
    (6) Research findings from in vitro and in vivo studies.
    (7) Information on control measures (e.g., engineering controls, 
work practices, PPE) being taken to minimize worker exposure to 
diethanolamine.
    (8) Educational materials for worker safety and training on the 
safe handling of diethanolamine.
    (9) Data pertaining to the feasibility of establishing a more 
protective REL for diethanolamine.
    (10) Names of substitute chemicals or processes being used in place 
of diethanolamine and type of work tasks.

References

NIOSH [1989]. National occupational exposure survey analysis of 
management interview responses. Vol. III. Pedersen DH, Sieber WK, 
eds. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 89-103.
Technology Planning and Management Corporation [2002]. Report on 
carcinogens background document for diethanolamine. Prepared for the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Toxicology 
Program: Research Triangle Park, NC.


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     Dated: April 18, 2013.
John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-09651 Filed 4-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P