OSHA response to a question about toluene exposure

June 16, 1997

[Name Withheld]
Dear [Name Withheld]:

This letter is in response to your December 20, 1996, inquiry to President Clinton, describing your son's condition that you believe may have been caused by chemical exposure. Your letter was forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for response.

In your letter you asked about an association between toluene and Pierre Robin Syndrome. Our research has shown that while some agents like vitamin A, vitamin B (folio acid) and some pharmaceuticals have been implicated in clefting, the present medical opinion is there is no link between toluene and Pierre Robin Syndrome.

Toluene has been present in the workplace for many years and, at the concentrations usually found, is considered an eye irritant hazard. OSHA established a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for toluene in 1971 of 200 ppm to reduce the exposure to below what is considered the irritant level for most employees. The odor of toluene is detectable by most people at concentrations in the range of 10 ppm to 15 ppm (5 to 7.5% of the PEL), so awareness of its presence due to its odor does not indicate that the air contaminant levels are exceeding or even approaching the PEL.

Extremely high levels of toluene exposure have occurred among women who have sniffed glue while they were pregnant. Even at these extremely high levels, there have not been reports of Pierre Robin Syndrome among the children of these women. Although the causes of Pierre Robin Syndrome are not all known, the probable factors include genetic considerations.

We have been unable to identify the chemicals listed in your letter as Sprayon Bluing or Sprayon Bluing Remover in the Trade Name Index. However, since there is no known relationship between Pierre Robin Syndrome and industrial chemicals, knowing the product ingredients would be unlikely to add any further information. I do not think that toluene causes Pierre Robin Syndrome. I understand you have overcome very serious odds and wish you and your son the best for the future.

Sincerely,
John B. Miles, Jr., Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]