Evaluation of the toxicity data for peracetic acid in deriving occupational exposure limits: A minireview

Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of exposure to a new cleaning and disinfection product and symptoms in hospital employees.

“…Measured ppm concentrations of HP and AA were divided by their established OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 1 ppm for HP and 10 ppm for AA (Equations 1 and 2). Measured ppm concentrations of PAA were divided by 0.2 ppm, the occupational exposure limit proposed by multiple researchers [Gagnaire et al 2002;Pechacek et al 2015;Pacenti et al 2010]. TM and OM exposure was determined using Eq.…”

“…All measurements for HP and AA were below their respective OSHA PELs and NIOSH RELs [NIOSH 2010] for exposure to HP or AA alone. There is currently no OSHA PEL or NIOSH REL for occupational exposure to PAA, however, several research groups have suggested 0.2 ppm as an exposure limit [Gagnaire et al 2002;Pechacek et al 2015;Pacenti et al 2010 Mucous membrane irritation (burning eyes and/or burning nose) was reported by 64% (n = 32/50) of post-shift survey participants, and 84% (n = 27/32) of these participants reported symptom onset while cleaning. Lower airway symptoms such as cough, wheeze, chest tightness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing were reported in 34% (n = 17/50) of post-shift survey participants; of whom 88% (n = 15/17) reported symptom onset during cleaning activities.…”

Evaluation of peracetic acid exposure among federal poultry inspectors.

“…Pechacek et al [2015] estimated that in 2004, less than 20,000 tons of peracetic acid was used in the United States; however, usage in the United States has increased since then. According to the Environmental Protection Agency ChemView database, in 2015, it is estimated that 5,000,000-25,000,000 tons of peracetic acid was produced in the United States [EPA 2017].…”

“…Peracetic acid is volatile and has a pungent, vinegar-like odor. An unpublished Swedish report estimated the odor threshold as 0.05 ppm [Pechacek et al 2015]. An acute exposure guideline of 0.17 ppm was recommended as a threshold for irritation in the general population [National Academies Press 2010].…”

“…Acute exposure to peracetic acid has been shown to cause irritation of the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract [New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services 2004;Pechacek et al 2015]. Previous National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) health hazard evaluations of chlorine disinfection processes at other poultry plants found that employees reported respiratory and eye irritation in evisceration departments that used chlorine [NIOSH 2003[NIOSH , 2006[NIOSH , 2007[NIOSH , 2012.…”