Understanding the OEHHA Reference Exposure Levels for Isopropyl Alcohol

This is an explanatory note developed by GOJO to help you understand and use the Reference Exposure Levels (RELs) provided by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

What is a Reference Exposure Level?

A Reference Exposure Level, or REL, is the exposure concentration at or below which no adverse health effects are anticipated.

You can compare the REL for a chemical to your exposure to that chemical to determine the likelihood of an adverse health effect.

To evaluate exposures to chemicals that are inhaled, RELs are expressed in terms of concentration of the chemical in air. Specifically, RELs are expressed as micrograms of chemical per cubic meter of air.

RELs are designed to protect the most sensitive individuals in the population.

Exceeding the REL does not automatically indicate an adverse health impact will occur. However, increasing concentrations above the REL value increases the likelihood that the health effect will occur.

What are the RELs for isopropyl alcohol?

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed two RELs for isopropanol: an acute REL of 3,200 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) and a chronic REL of 7,000 µg/m3.

The acute REL can be used to evaluate the likelihood of health effects following short-term, one-hour peak exposures.

The chronic REL can be used to evaluate the likelihood of health effects following long-term exposures, defined as exposures that last at least eight years.

What do the RELs for isopropyl alcohol mean to me?

GOJO estimates that the concentration of isopropanol in air resulting from the use of PURELL® Surface Disinfectant will not exceed the acute nor the chronic RELs for isopropanol.