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Identifying 1,4-Dioxane to Protect California Residents and Workers

Industrial Hygiene Testing

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	2/13/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Identifying 1,4-Dioxane to Protect California Residents and Workers
Introduction	LA Testing provides industrial hygiene and environmental laboratory testing services, sampling supplies and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate exposure risks to chemical and microbial hazards.
Huntington Beach, CA, February 13, 2024 1,4-Dioxane is described by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) as a likely human carcinogen that is highly mobile and persistent in water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also warns that 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the United States and that it does not readily biodegrade in the environment. The chemical compound is used in a number of industries, primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals and as a laboratory reagent. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) cautions that exposure can harm the eyes, skin, lungs, liver and kidneys, and that 1,4-dioxane may cause cancer. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports exposure to high levels of 1,4-dioxane in the air can also result in nasal cavity damage. Examples of some workers at potential risk of being exposed to 1,4-dioxane, according to NIOSH, include: Employees working in scientific laboratories Workers exposed to certain types of industrial solvents Factory workers involved in producing some cosmetics Workers in paper pulping industries “Exposure to 1,4-dioxane can occur by breathing contaminated air, skin contact, or by drinking water or consuming foods that contain it,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for 1,4-dioxane. Cal/OSHA also has its own PEL. Back in 1988, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added 1,4-dioxane to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65.” California industries that utilize 1,4-dioxane, and water and wastewater utilities that test for it, can turn to the industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at LA Testing. They offer laboratory services, sampling supplies and personal protective equipment to assess and mitigate exposure risks. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about 1,4-dioxane and potential occupational exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/p7DoxZDPcSw To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.