Table 2.
Health based occupational exposure limits values for major fumigants
| Fumigant | Acute effects/workplace | Carcinogenic effects (potential) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical | Occupational exposure limit, OEL [mg/m 3 ] | Carcinogen = + (Class) |
| Phosphine | 0.14 | - |
| Bromomethane (methyl bromide) | 3.89 | + (3) |
| Sulfuryl difluoride | 20.9 | - |
| Formaldehyde | 0.37 | + (4) |
| Ethylene oxide | 1.80 | + (2) |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane (ethylene dichloride) | 4.05 | + (2) |
| Dichloromethane (chloromethane) | 86.75 | + (3) |
| Chloropicrin (trichloro(nitro)methane) | 0.672 | - |
Sources: NIOSH; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg).
IRAC, International Agency for Research on Cancer (http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol100F/mono100F.pdf).
(see [19] for further details on community exposure levels and thresholds).