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IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail
OHS Research
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Slip Resistance Test for Protective Footwear
Loan, Calibration and Repairs
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CQ Vrac
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Interlaboratory quality
control program
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substance
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substance
September 03, 2025
Ethyl alcohol
French name in the regulation:
Alcool éthylique
CAS :
64-17-5
Synonyms:
Ethyl hydrate; Éthanol
Exposure Standards in RROHS regulation
Permissible exposure values (PEV)
ppm
mg/m
3
f/cc
Notes
TWAEV
-
-
-
-
STEV
1000
1880
*
-
-
Ceiling
-
-
-
-
Carcinogenicity
C3
Sensitizer
Simple asphyxiant
Percutaneous
Prohibited use
Prohibited recirculation
Minimum exposure
Explosion hazard
Ototoxic
TWA adjustment for unusual work schedules
1B
: No adjustment
CNESST – Toxicological Index Service
Consult REPTOX file:
Ethyl alcohol
Analysis:
Alcool éthylique
Method: IRSST - 91-2
Sampling protocol
Sampling device:
Sampling media required:
#IRSST
Description
2120
Activated charcoal tube 100/50 mg
Parameters:
Flow rate: Max: 0.05 L/min
TWA sampling volume: -
STEL sampling volume: 1 L
Analytical protocol
Principle:
Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID)
Precision (%):
10,9
Minimum reported value:
95 µg
Remarks:
The analysis can be done by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS, IRSST method #369); in this case the analytical uncertainty (CVa) is 12.5%.
Reference
IRSST. "Analyse de l'éthanol dans l'air". Méthode 91-2. Méthodes analytiques. Montréal: IRSST, 1986.
Ethyl alcohol
Method: IRSST - 415
Sampling protocol
Sampling device:
Sampling media required:
#IRSST
Description
2197
Anasorb 747 tubes (2) 400/200 mg in series
Parameters:
Flow rate: 0.05 L/min
TWA sampling volume: -
STEL sampling volume: 0,75 L
Remarks:
At the end of sampling, the front tube must be separated from the back tube to avoid migration. Reseal each end of the tubes. Additional information is also available in french in "consigne d'utilisation I-MAT-039". Ethyl alcohol must be sampled specifically because of the sampling device used.
Analytical protocol
Principle:
Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID)
Precision (%):
0,8
Minimum reported value:
30 µg
Remarks:
However, simultaneous sampling and analysis of Methyl alcohol, Sec-butyl alcohol, Isopropyl alcohol, n-Butyl alcohol, Isobutyl alcohol and n-propyl alcohol is possible.
Reference
IRSST. Détermination des alcools prélevés sur tubes de charbon activé synthétique dans l'air (non publié)
Ethyl alcohol
Method: IRSST - 416
Sampling protocol
Sampling device:
Sampling media required:
#IRSST
Description
2696
566AT passive dosimeter
Parameters:
Flow rate: 0,0135 L/min
TWA sampling volume: -
STEL sampling volume: -
Remarks:
For the monitors, the flow must be considered as being a sampling rate.
Analytical protocol
Principle:
Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID)
Precision (%):
3,0
Minimum reported value:
120 µg
Reference
IRSST. "Dosage des composés organiques volatils dans l'air par dosimétrie passive". Méthode 416. Non publiée.
Following the amendment of Appendix 1 of the Quebec Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (RSST, RLRQ, c. S-2.1, r. 13), part of Quebec Occupational Health and Safety Act, which came into effect on March 26, 2020, the TWAEV, STEL and Ceiling values for certain substances are now expressed in
ppm
. For these substances, the IRSST performed the conversion calculations to express these TWAEV, TWA and Ceiling values in mg/m
3
, which thus appears in its Sampling Guide for Air Contaminants in the Workplace
(Guide d'échantillonnage des contaminants de l'air en milieu de travail )
and the associated Substance Data Sheets. However, it is imperative to refer to the values expressed in the RSST which are legally binding.
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