September 9, 2002—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is asking for comments and information from the public to help the agency determine the best way to address occupational exposures to hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is most commonly used as a structural and anti-corrosive element in the production of stainless steel, ferrochromium, iron, and steel, and in electroplating, welding, and painting. Exposures to the metal have been associated with lung cancer, dermatoses, and some respiratory problems.
“We already know there are risks involved in the occupational use of this metal,” said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. “But, there are a number of complex issues to be addressed, including differences in opinion on the interpretation of health effects data, current uses and exposures. We believe that giving interested members of the public an opportunity to be heard on these issues will help us determine the best strategy to reduce the occupational health risks.”
OSHA’s request for information is arranged among numerous topics that include: health effects; risk assessment; methods of analyzing exposure levels; investigations into occupational exposures, control measures, and technological and economic feasibility; use of personal protective equipment and respirators; current employee training and medical screening programs; and environmental and small business impacts.
Comments must be submitted by November 20, 2002. To submit comments by regular mail, express delivery, hand delivery, or messenger service, send three copies and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. H-0054a, Room N2625, US Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210. You may also fax comments (10 pages or fewer) by calling the Docket Office fax at 202/693-1648. Include the docket number in your comments. Finally, comments may be submitted electronically through the Internet at http://ecomments.osha.gov. Further information on submitting comments can be obtained by calling the Docket Office at 202/693-2350.
OSHA’s current general industry standard sets a permissible exposure limit for hexavalent chromium compounds at 100 micrograms per cubic meter as a ceiling concentration; the standard for construction is 100 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
