[CPEO-MEF] VOCs: "Official report criticises Pentagon’s approach to setting TCE exposure limit"

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Official report criticises Pentagon’s approach to setting TCE exposure limit
National Academies recommend more transparency in review process

by Amanda Ulrich
Chemical Watch
November 18, 2019 

The US Department of Defense’s (DOD) proposed process for establishing a new occupational exposure limit for trichloroethylene (TCE) needs significant improvement, according to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The NAS has been scrutinising the Pentagon's proposed approach for developing an occupational exposure level for TCE since January. Employees at some DOD facilities are exposed to the substance – a common environmental contaminant at industrial worksites.

TCE is a solvent used as a degreasing agent, an intermediate in refrigerant manufacture, and in spot removers and adhesives. It is produced in large quantities, and creates dangerous vapours that can lead to worker exposure. A known carcinogen, it can affect the liver, kidneys, neurological system, immune system, reproduction and development.

However the NAS says the DOD’s approach to setting the OEL "does not align with best practices and deviates from established systematic review methods." A designated committee recommended strengthening the transparency and thoroughness of the review process. 


…

For the entire article, see
https://chemicalwatch.com/84691/official-report-criticises-pentagons-approach-to-setting-tce-exposure-limit

To learn about the full report, go to
https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25610/review-of-dods-approach-to-deriving-an-occupational-exposure-level-for-trichloroethylene

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director
Center for Public Environmental Oversight
A project of the Pacific Studies Center
LSiegel@cpeo.org
P.O. Box 998, Mountain View, CA 94042
Voice/Fax: 650-961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org





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