Information on the health hazard of ozone produced by common office copiers and on radon gas testing devices. | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Standard Number:

1910.1000

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 11, 1988

Ms. Leslee A. Hallas
3618 Xerxes Avenue
North Minneapolis, Minnesota 55412

Dear Ms. Hallas:

Your December 14, 1987 letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been forwarded to the Occupational safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for reply. In your letter, you requested information on the health hazard of ozone produced by common office copiers and on radon gas testing devices.

Ozone, a colorless gas with pungent odor, is formed around electrical sources such as copying machines and ultraviolet generators. Ozone is irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. Respiratory signs and symptoms of exposure to ozone become more severe as the concentration of ozone increases in the air. The current OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for ozone is 0.1 part of ozone per million parts of air averaged over an eight-hour workshift. For your information, I am enclosing a copy of "Occupational Health Guideline for Ozone". The guideline provides information on the health hazard of ozone and includes precautions to prevent overexposure.

Radon is a radioactive has produced by the disintegration of uranium which may exist in the soil. Since OSHA's jurisdiction does not include homes, OSHA has no testing devices or a program for evaluating homes for radon. There are many organizations, however, that offer radon detection programs. We recommend that you contact the Environmental protection Agency (EPA) or the University of Pittsburgh for additional information. Their addresses are:

EPA
Office of Radiation Program
401 M Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460

Radon Project
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260

If I can be of further assistance please contact us.

Sincerely,

Edward Baier
Director
Directorate of Technical Support