[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37818-37819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15040]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[CDC-2013-0011; NIOSH-262]


Request for Information on Toluene Diisocyanates

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 toluene diissocyanate (TDI) and 
other TDI-based isocyanate products to develop a Criteria Document to 
establish an updated Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for toluene 
diisocyanate. The current NIOSH REL for 2,4-TDI is the lowest feasible 
concentration with no ceiling due to the potential carcinogenicity of 
2,4-TDI.
    NIOSH is requesting information on the following: (1) Published and 
unpublished reports and findings from in vitro and in vivo toxicity 
studies with toluene diisocyanate; (2) information on possible health 
effects observed in workers exposed to toluene diisocyanate, 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 toluene diisocyanate; (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 toluene diisocyanate; and (5) surveillance findings 
including protocol, methods, and results.

DATES: Public Comment Period: Comments must be received August 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2013-0011 and 
Docket Number NIOSH-262, 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-2013-0011; NIOSH-
262). 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-2013-0011 and Docket Number NIOSH-
262.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naomi Hudson, Dr.P.H., NIOSH, Robert A 
Taft Laboratories, MS-C32, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, 
telephone (513) 533-8388.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Toluene diisocyanates are colorless to pale 
yellow liquids or solids with a sharp, pungent odor. TDI is one of the 
most commonly used diisocyanates. The most common formulation of TDI is 
a mixture of two isomers: 80% 2,4-TDI and 20% 2,6-TDI. Approximately 
541 million pounds of TDI were used in 2008, and 527 million pounds of 
TDI were used in 2010.
    Occupational exposure occurs during production and use of 
diisocyanates, such as the mixing and foaming processes in the 
polyurethane foam industry, and during spray adhesive application in 
the automobile and furniture industries. TDI is an irritant to the 
eyes, skin, and the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Workers 
exposed to TDI may also be sensitized, such that they might be subject 
to asthma attacks. In 1996 NIOSH published a NIOSH Alert, Preventing 
Asthma and Death from Diisocyanate Exposure [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 
No. 96-111]. In 1989, NIOSH published a Current Intelligence Bulletin 
on toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and toluenediamine (TDA) [DHHS (NIOSH) 
Publication No. 90-101] which classified TDI and TDA (used in the 
manufacturing of TDI) as potential occupational carcinogens.
    The current NIOSH REL for 2,4-TDI is the lowest feasible 
concentration with no ceiling due to the potential carcinogenicity of 
TDI. The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for TDI is 0.005 ppm, 
with a ceiling of 0.02 ppm. The American Conference of Governmental 
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) for TDI is 
0.005 ppm with a ceiling of 0.02 ppm to minimize effects on the 
respiratory tract and to minimize the potential for sensitization.
    NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, including published and 
unpublished reports and research findings, to evaluate the possible 
health risks of occupational exposure to diisocyanates. Examples of 
requested information include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (1) Identification of industries or occupations in which exposures 
to TDI may occur.
    (2) Trends in the production and use of TDI.
    (3) Description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential for 
exposure to TDI.
    (4) Workplace exposure measurement data of TDI in various types of 
industries and jobs.
    (5) Case reports or other health information demonstrating 
potential health effects in workers exposed to TDI.
    (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 TDI.
    (8) Educational materials for worker safety and training on the 
safe handling of diisocyanates.

[[Page 37819]]

    (9) Data pertaining to the feasibility of establishing a more 
protective REL for diisocyanates.
    (10) Names of substitute chemicals or processes being used in place 
of TDI and type of work tasks.

    Dated: June 17, 2013.
John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-15040 Filed 6-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P