NIOSH Requests Comments on Five Draft Skin Notation Profiles
A notice from NIOSH in the Federal Register requests comments on draft skin notation profiles for the chemicals allyl alcohol, formamide, formic acid, phenothiazine, and picric acid. Skin notations are hazard warnings that alert workers and employers to the health risks of skin exposures to chemicals in the workplace. The profiles provide the scientific rationale behind skin notations.
The Federal Register notice lists 11 questions that NIOSH poses related to the clarity and logic of the draft skin notation profiles. The draft documents are available from Regulations.gov.
Allyl alcohol is used in chemical manufacturing and in the production of resins, plasticizers, and pharmaceuticals. The draft profile indicates that allyl alcohol is highly toxic, potentially lethal following skin exposure, and a potential skin irritant.
Formamide is used as a chemical intermediate, a solvent, and a softener for water-soluble gums, animal glues, and paper. NIOSH has assigned formamide a composite skin notation indicating that it is a potential skin irritant.
Formic acid has several uses, including as a fragrance ingredient, preservative, and pH adjuster in cosmetics, and in products related to washing, cleaning, metal surface treatment, water treatment, textile and paper dyeing and finishing, and leather tanning. The draft profile indicates that formic acid is potentially corrosive to the skin.
Phenothiazine has multiple applications, including as a polymerization inhibitor, insecticide, and antioxidant. NIOSH indicates that it is a potential skin irritant.
Picric acid is used in the making of explosives, as a component of rocket fuel, in battery manufacturing, and in the pharmaceutical, textile, and leather industries, among other applications. NIOSH has assigned picric acid a notation indicating its potential to cause immune-mediated reactions following exposure to the skin.
For more information, refer to the Federal Register notice. Comments are due Dec. 27.