Abstract |
A worker exposure analysis for 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) is presented. Approximately 130,000 kg/site/day are produced by 5 U.S. manufacturers. Since manufacture occurs in a closed reactor, worker exposure is expected to be limited. Inhalation exposure during sampling and packaging is estimated at 100 to 300 mg/day. If no gloves are worn, dermal exposure may occur and may range from 650 to 1950 mg/day during sampling and from 1300 to 3900 mg/day during packaging. When used as an imtermediate in the production of esters, diesters, and triesters of various acids, inhalation exposure is estimated to be 0.1 to 0.7 mg/kg/day during sampling, and if gloves are not worn dermal exposure may range from 1300 to 3900 mg/day. 2-EH is used as a wetting agent in the textile industry, possibly at hundreds of sites. Inhalation exposure is estimated at 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg/day, and if no gloves are worn, dermal exposure may be 1300 to 3900 mg/day. When used as a solvent, inhalation may be as high as 0.5 to 5 mg/day for 8 hours of exposure. Dermal exposure without gloves may be from 1300 to 3600 mg/day. In all the above cases, exposure while wearing gloves is expected to be negligible. |