Cal/OSHA · dir.ca.gov
Aromatic Carcinogens

Acrylonitrile Medical Surveillance

Acrylonitrile (vinyl cyanide) is a probable carcinogen causing lung/GI effects and CNS symptoms; affects workers in acrylic fiber, plastics, and resin manufacturing.

Action Level1 ppm (8-hr TWA)
PEL2 ppm (8-hr TWA); ceiling 10 ppm / 15 min
Who is covered: All occupational AN exposures, with exemptions for finished polymers and for materials demonstrably unable to release AN above 1 ppm under expected conditions of use

Evaluation performed by: Licensed physician

🩺 Baseline / Pre-Placement

Within 30 days of initial assignment

  • Work and medical history with special attention to the skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, and to nonspecific symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, or other central-nervous-system dysfunction
  • Complete physical examination giving particular attention to the peripheral and central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, skin, and thyroid
  • 14x17-inch (or other reasonably-sized standard film or digital) posterior-anterior chest X-ray
  • Further tests of the intestinal tract, including fecal occult blood screening, for all workers age 40 or older (and for any other affected employees for whom the physician deems it appropriate)
🕒 Periodic / Routine

Interval-based while covered — NOT result-triggered

Schedule: At least annually for all covered employees.

  • Work and medical history with special attention to the skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, and to nonspecific symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, or other central-nervous-system dysfunction
  • Complete physical examination giving particular attention to the peripheral and central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, skin, and thyroid
  • 14x17-inch (or other reasonably-sized standard film or digital) posterior-anterior chest X-ray
  • Further tests of the intestinal tract, including fecal occult blood screening, for all workers age 40 or older (and for any other affected employees for whom the physician deems it appropriate)
🚪 Exit / Termination

Prior to termination of employment, if the employee has not had an equivalent examination within the preceding 6 months

  • Work and medical history with special attention to the skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, and to nonspecific symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, or other central-nervous-system dysfunction
  • Complete physical examination giving particular attention to the peripheral and central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, skin, and thyroid
  • 14x17-inch (or other reasonably-sized standard film or digital) posterior-anterior chest X-ray
  • Further tests of the intestinal tract, including fecal occult blood screening, for all workers age 40 or older (and for any other affected employees for whom the physician deems it appropriate)
Abnormal results & exposure-event protocols

Abnormal Results & Exposure-Event Protocols

  • Employee develops signs or symptoms that may be associated with exposure to AN 8 CCR 5213(n)(4): Employer provides an appropriate medical examination and emergency medical treatment. Tests: Medical examination directed at presenting signs/symptoms (skin, respiratory, GI, CNS), Emergency medical treatment as indicated

Reporting Requirements

Who performs the evaluationLicensed physician
Reported to employerWritten opinion limited to: results of the medical examination and tests; whether the employee has any detected medical condition that would place health at increased risk of material impairment from AN; recommended limitations on AN exposure or on the use of protective clothing/equipment (e.g., respirators); and a statement that the employee was informed of the results and of any condition requiring further examination or treatment. Must NOT reveal specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational AN exposure.
Reported to / for the employeeEmployee informed by the physician of the results and any condition requiring further examination/treatment; furnished a copy of the written opinion.
Time limitsNo explicit time limit for furnishing the written opinion is specified.
Second-opinion / multi-physician reviewNo multiple-physician-review scheme codified in the standard.
RecordkeepingMedical records retained for the duration of employment plus 30 years (8 CCR 3204).

Medical Removal Protection

No mandatory removal thresholds; the physician's written opinion may recommend limitations on AN exposure or PPE use.

How this compares to Federal OSHA: Essentially aligned — identical AL/PEL/ceiling, history/physical emphasis, chest X-ray, and FOBT-age-40+ requirement. California specifies the initial exam must occur within 30 days of assignment (an explicit deadline) whereas federal frames it as 'at the time of initial assignment.' California has no separate construction AN section (construction governed federally by 1926.1145, incorporating 1910.1045 by reference).

Occu-Med handles Acrylonitrile surveillance end-to-end

Scheduling, exams, lab panels, physician review, removal/return determinations, and audit-ready recordkeeping — fully compliant with Cal/OSHA requirements.