Propionaldehyde

Overview

EPA conducted a peer review of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessment of propionaldehyde that will appear on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.

Background

The draft Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde provides scientific information on the effects pertaining to exposure to propionaldehyde.

Propionaldehyde is a colorless liquid with a suffocating, fruity odor. It is used in the manufacturing of propionic acid and polyvinyl and other plastics, in the synthesis of rubber chemicals, and as a disinfectant and preservative.

The chemical is released to the environment primarily through the combustion of wood, gasoline, diesel fuel, and polyethylene. Propionaldehyde is also a component of cigarette smoke and a food additive/flavoring agent. Although no studies on the effects of propionaldehyde administered by the oral route have been performed, based on its expected daily intake (below 1800 µg/day) and eventual metabolism in the citric acid cycle, it does not appear to be a safety concern for public health via ingestion (USFDA, WHO/JECFA). Thus, the most probable route of exposure of concern to the general population is by inhalation. The assessment will present reference values for the noncancer effects of propionaldehyde (RfD and RfC), where supported by available data, and a cancer assessment.

History/Chronology

Date	Description
2000 - 2001	Propionaldehyde was nominated by OAR in 2000 and 2001 and by OAQPS in 2003 as a chemical listed for monitoring under the Clean Air Act.
Feb 2008	EPA releases the external review draft for public comment and review.
Sep 2008	EPA released the final Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde: in suport of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).

Status

Concluding this review, it is expected that there will be a final risk assessment in 2008 that will be published on the IRIS website.

Additional Information

Comments on the assessment may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov website. From the site, select Environmental Protection Agency and the key word EPA- HQ-ORD-2008-0165 (for the docket ID).

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

• Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde: In support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (PDF)  (59  pp, 405.3 KB, about PDF)
• Charge to External Peer Reviewers (PDF)  (3  pp, 20.5 KB, about PDF)
• Consolidated Comments from the External Peer Review (Final) (PDF)  (33  pp, 181.6 KB, about PDF)

If you have a disability and the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please reach out to us using the Contact Us about IRIS form for assistance. To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of the accessibility problem, the web address of the requested material, your preferred format in which you want to receive the material (electronic format (ASCII, etc.), standard print, large print, etc.), and your contact information.

Document Related Link(s)

• Union Carbide Study (PDF)  (372  pp, 9.3 MB, about PDF)
• External Peer Review of Union Carbide Study (PDF)  (19  pp, 80.1 KB, about PDF)

Federal Register Notices

• FR Notice: May 2, 2008
• FR Notice: Mar 6, 2008