Consultation on proposed B.C. Exposure Limits (ELs) based on the new or revised 2019 and 2020 ACGIH TLVs for selected chemical substances

Each year, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) publishes a list of substances for which they have set new or revised Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). A TLV is the airborne concentration of a chemical substance where it is believed that nearly all workers may be exposed over a working lifetime and experience no adverse health effects. TLVs may be expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL), or ceiling limit.

Before adopting new or revised TLVs published by the ACGIH, WorkSafeBC reviews relevant data on health effects and the availability of validated sampling methods. WorkSafeBC also consults with stakeholders on potential implementation issues. WorkSafeBC’s existing B.C. Exposure Limits (ELs) continue to be in effect until the Board of Directors makes a decision on which new or revised ACGIH TLVs to adopt as B.C. ELs.

We are requesting stakeholder feedback on the proposed B.C. ELs for 24 substances.

(1) WorkSafeBC is proposing new or revised B.C. ELs for the following substances:

  • Chromium and inorganic compounds: Metallic Chromium, as Cr(0)
  • Cobalt and inorganic compounds, as Co
  • Cyclopentadiene
  • Dicyclopentadiene
  • Dicyclopentadiene, including Cyclopentadiene (8-hour TWA only)
  • Manganese, elemental and inorganic compounds, as Mn
  • Resin acids, as total Resin acids
  • Rosin core solder thermal decomposition products (colophony)
  • Styrene
  • 1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane
  • Tin and inorganic compounds, excluding Tin hydride, as Sn, Metal
  • Tin and inorganic compounds, excluding Tin hydride, as Sn, Oxide and Inorganic compounds
  • Tin and inorganic compounds, excluding Tin hydride and Indium tin oxide, as Sn

(2) WorkSafeBC is proposing to retain the existing B.C. ELs for the following substances:

  • Dicyclopentadiene, including Cyclopentadiene (15-minute STEL only)
  • Formamide
  • Indium tin oxide, as In
  • Isobutyl nitrite
  • Methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride isomers
  • Methyl vinyl ketone
  • Monomethylformamide
  • o-Phthalaldehyde
  • Propylene glycol ethyl ether
  • Styrene oxide
  • Sulfur pentafluoride
  • m-Xylene α,α’-diamine

Providing feedback

View the proposed B.C. ELs and provide feedback

Feedback will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024.

Sincerely,

Lori Guiton
Director, Policy, Regulation and Research Department
WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC, PO Box 5350 Stn Terminal, Vancouver BC V6B 5L5