Abstract |
On January 30, we submitted a notification to the EPA following determination that a Henkel product, a polyalkoxylated product marketed under the trade-name POLYQUART (trademark) H, contained 1, 4-dioxane. Since that determination, we have expanded analytical investigations to other Henkel products that may potentially contain, 1, 4-dioxane. These investigations are not complete, but we are submitting this report in the interim to advise the EPA that continuing analyses have detected 1, 4-dioxane in a second product, STANAX (trademark) 1166, at levels of 1.1 to 1.7%. Significance of the findings reported here to those engaged in manufacture and use of the product is unclear. STANAX (trademark) 1166, a polyalkoxylated polyamine product (similar but not identical to POLYQUART (trademark) H) is used as an antistatic agent for textile fiber from a dilute aqueous solution, which, depending on the level of dilution, may contain 0.05 to 0.17% 1, 4-Dioxane (based on a starting level of 1.7% in STANAX (trademark) 1166). After contact with the textile, the finishing solution is removed, the fiber extracted and dried. Employee exposure to 1, 4-dioxane during these operations has not been determined, but on the basis of vapor-liquid equilibrium determinations reported by Shell Chemicals, 1, 4-dioxane content in the vapor phase above solutions (and the potential level of exposure to employees) should be substantially less than 1, 4-dioxane content in the liquid phase. |