Abstract |
Dow Corning conducted an exposure analysis study as part of a comprehensive integrated health and safety research program on three cyclic siloxanes; octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (Ds), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (06). These chemicals are used as intermediates in the production of polymers and sold for formulation in personal care products. The purposes of the study was: to identify and estimate the size of potentially exposed populations, to identify the principal pathways of exposure (e.g. inhalation and dermal absorption), and to estimate the relevant exposure concentrations and likely exposures received by each pathway for members of each population. Four exposed populations were considered: (1) workers in Dow Corning facilities where these compounds are made, used as an intermediate, or formulated, (2) workers in customer facilities where these compounds are formulated into personal care products, (3)consumers who use personal care products formulated with these materials; and (4) the general public, who may be exposed to these materials as part of their everyday activities. In summary workers from several sources tend to have the greater exposures. For example, a worker in a manufacturing plant producing personal care products, who also uses personal care products. The end result of this study is to provide the Average Daily Dose of the above mentioned study chemicals. |