Using the OSHA Chemical Database
How do I use the OSHA chemical database?
You can look up a chemical in OSHA's Occupational Chemical Database at osha.gov/chemicaldata by name, CAS number or OSHA analyte code, or by browsing an A-Z list. Each chemical page brings together identifiers, physical properties, exposure limits from several bodies and OSHA's sampling methods. OSHA calls it its "one-stop shop" for occupational chemical information, compiled from several government agencies and organizations.
Approach: I read OSHA's official database pages: the home page, the Advanced Search form and one example chemical record.
1. Finding a chemical
- Browse by name: use the Chemical Name A-Z Index.
- Advanced Search: you can search by:
- Chemical name, in full or just part of it.
- CAS number, in full (for example 7782-50-5) or part of it (for example 7782-5).
- Analyte Code (IMIS #), which is OSHA's own ID for each chemical.
- Two checkboxes narrow the results: chemicals with carcinogenic classifications, and chemicals with an IDLH value in ppm.
- Results show the chemical name, CAS number, analyte code and synonyms, 50 per page. The search page says the database holds 838 chemicals.
2. What a chemical page shows
Using vinyl toluene (chemicaldata/322) as the example, a page has these sections:
- Chemical Identification: CAS number (25013-15-4), formula and synonyms.
- Physical Properties: boiling point, flash point, specific gravity, and lower and upper explosive limits.
- Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA: sampling media, the analytical instrument and the OSHA method number. For vinyl toluene that is OSHA method 89, using a coated CSC tube and GC-FID.
- Bulk/Wipe Method and On-Site Screening Techniques.
- Exposure Limits: limits from different bodies side by side. For vinyl toluene:
| Source | Limit |
|---|---|
| OSHA PEL-TWA | 100 ppm (480 mg/m³) |
| NIOSH REL-TWA | 100 ppm (480 mg/m³) |
| ACGIH TLV-TWA | 50 ppm [1992] |
| Cal/OSHA PEL-TWA | 50 ppm (240 mg/m³) |
| IDLH | 400 ppm |
- Additional Resources and Literature References.
3. Tips
- Check each limit's source. Limits on the same page can differ: here the OSHA PEL is 100 ppm, while the ACGIH TLV and Cal/OSHA PEL are 50 ppm. Note which body set the figure you are relying on.
- PEL coverage: OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits cover about 400 substances, and the database refers to OSHA standards for General Industry, Construction and Maritime. Use the standard citations it gives for the binding text.
- Abbreviations: the field/label abbreviations guide explains the column labels.
- Sampling: for planning monitoring, the Sampling and Analytical Methods section lists media, flow rates and method links.
- Measured exposure data: OSHA publishes this separately as Chemical Exposure Health Data.
If you give me a substance name or CAS number, I can pull its exposure limits and compare them with EU or GB occupational exposure limits.