Question Posed:
What are the safe harbor levels for silica? Is it mandatory to include the warning labels on products?
Answer Provided:
Silica appears to be specific to respiratory issues during manufacturing (from the occurrences/uses section). If, after the manufacturing of the products, there is a chance of a consumer inhaling the silica above the 3 μg/m³ per day exposure threshold, then a label is likely needed. If there is no chance of exposure or it is below the 3 μg/m³ per day limit, then a label is probably not required. There is likely still a need to provide the information to workers under OSHA, but the Prop 65 warning requirement would not be applicable to the manufacturing process where end-users are not making purchases of finished goods.
Here is an excerpt from the Proposition 65 website about Silica:
- Silica (crystalline, respirable)
- Air
- Chronic REL
Chronic Inhalation REL (μg/m3): | 3 |
Chronic Target Organs: | Respiratory system |
- Occurrence(s)/Use(s)
- Manufacture of glass, abrasives, ceramics, enamels, heat insulators, fire- and acid-prove packing materials; clarifying and filtration agent, molds for castings, decolorizing and purifying oil/petroleum, industrial filler
Reference: https://oehha.ca.gov/chemicals/silica-crystalline-respirable
**Article contents valid as of 2017-06-13
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