Control procedures, chemical hygiene

The OSHA-mandated special provisions for work with carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and substances that have a high degree of acute toxicity include consideration of "designated areas," use of containment devices, special handling of contaminated waste, and decontamination procedures. The OSHA requirement is for evaluation, assessment, and implementation of these special controls, when appropriate. These special provisions are to be included in the Chemical Hygiene Plan. 

The control over human viral diseases is exercised by active immunization (Chapters 14 and 16) of the population, together with general hygiene and physical and chemical disinfection procedures. 

The International Program for Chemical Safety (IPCS) of the World Health Organization has made several recormnendations. Polybrominated diphenyls production (France) and use should be limited because of the concern over high persistency, bioaccumulation and potential adverse effects at low levels. There is limited toxicity data on deca- and octabromodiphenyls. Commercial use should cease unless safety is demonstrated. For the polybrominated diphenyl oxides, a Task Group felt that polybrominated dibenzofurans, and to a lesser extent the dioxins, may be formed. For decabromodiphenyl oxide, appropriate industrial hygiene measures need to be taken and environmental exposure minimized by emission control. Controlled incineration procedures should be instituted. For octabromodiphenyl oxide, the hexa- and lower isomers should be minimized. There is considerable concern over persistence in the environment and the accumulation in organisms, especially, for pentabromodiphenyl oxide. 

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