2,3-Butanedione. Documentation of proposed values of occupational exposure limits (OELs)
Journal Title: Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy - Year 2015, Vol 31, Issue 2
Abstract
2,3-Butanedione (diacetyl) is a greenish-yellow liquid with a characteristic buttery odour. Diacetyl is used as an artificial flavouring substance in processed food, e.g., microwave popcorn, confectionery, dairy products and beverages. Exposure to this compound occurs in chemical and food manufacturing industries. The concentrations of diacetyl at the workplace air range from several to several hundred mg/m3. In Poland, the average air concentration of diacetyl at the confectionary manufacture was 51 mg/m3.A single and repeated exposures to diacetyl lead to irritation to the eyes, respiratory tract and skin. Persons professionally exposed to this compound had respiratory tract disorders with spirometric changes indicating obstruction and restriction of the small airways. Moreover, diacetyl is consider as etiologic factor of bronchiolitis obliterans. In respect of acute toxicity, diacetyl is not in the classification of toxic substances. The literature data indicate the genotoxicity of this compound. Diacetyl induced point mutations and exerted clastogenic effect. There are no adequate data on carcinogenicity of diacetyl in humans and animals, and on gonadotoxic, embriotoxic, fetotoxic and teratogenic effects of diacetyl. Poland and several other countries did not establish admissible concentrations of diacetyl in the air. On November 27, 2014, the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work accepted an OEL for diacetyl at level of 0.07 mg/m3 and STEL value of 0.36 mg/m3. In 2011, ACGIH recommended TLV and STEL values at level of 0.035 and 0.070 mg/m3, respectively.The basis for calculating the maximum admissible concentration (MAC) of diacetyl were the results of epidemiologic studies which indicated that both obstructive and restrictive changes in respiratory system expressed in a lowered forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) did not occur in workers at the cumulative exposure level of 2.33 mg/m3 · years. This concentration was considered as NOAEC value. Uncertainty factors with joint value of 4 were used to calculate MAC at level of 0.05 mg/m3. STEL value for diacetyl at level of 0.1 mg/m3 was calculated on the basis of MAC value.The Interdepartmental Commission for Maximum Admissible Concentrations and Intensities for Agents Harmful to Health in the Working Environment at its 77th meeting adopted the MAC value of diacetyl proposed by SCOEL (project of the directions 4. Doc. 1893/14) of 0.07 mg/m3 and STEL value of 0.36 mg/m3. It is recommended to label this substance as I (irritant).
Authors and Affiliations
Andrzej Starek
Keywords
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