ISOOCTYL ALCOHOL

OSHA comments from the January 19, 1989 Final Rule on Air Contaminants Project extracted from 54FR2332 et. seq. This rule was remanded by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the limits are not currently in force.

CAS: 26952-21-6; Chemical Formula: C₇H₁₅CH₂OH

Previously, OSHA had no PEL for isooctyl alcohol. The ACGIH has a TLV-TWA of 50 ppm, with a skin notation, for this colorless liquid mixture. The proposed PEL was 50 ppm, with a skin notation, and these limits are established in the final rule. NIOSH (Ex. 8-47, Table N1) concurs with these limits.

The single-dose oral LD(50)s for isooctyl alcohol reported for rats and mice are between 3.2 and 6.4 g/kg; intraperitoneal injection LD(50)s for these species range from less than 0.4 g/kg to 1.6 g/kg (Hodge 1943/Ex. 1-700; Fassett 1951, as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 332). The dermal LD(50) for the guinea pig is greater than 10 ml/kg (Fassett 1951, as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 332); in the rabbit, the dermal LD(50) is 2.38 ml/kg (Smyth, Carpenter, Weil et al. 1969/Ex. 1-442). Moderate skin irritation from exposure to isooctyl alcohol has also been reported. Rats and rabbits have shown skin irritation at exposure levels ranging from 1.7 to 3.34 ml/kg (Smyth, Carpenter, Weil, et al. 1969/Ex. 1-442). Fassett (1951, as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 332) also reported no fatalities in rats after an 8-hour inhalation test at 235 ppm. OSHA received no comments, other than NIOSH’s, on this substance.

In the final rule, OSHA is establishing an 8-hour TWA PEL of 50 ppm, with a skin notation, for isooctyl alcohol. The Agency concludes that these limits will reduce the significant risks of skin irritation, a material impairment of health that is associated with exposure to this substance at levels above the new PEL.