Cal/OSHA · dir.ca.gov
Other Organics & Carcinogens

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) Medical Surveillance

DBCP is a reproductive toxicant causing male infertility and a probable carcinogen; affects workers in pesticide/fumigant manufacturing and handling.

PEL1 ppb (8-hr TWA); no eye or skin contact permitted
Who is covered: Employees in regulated areas plus employees exposed in emergencies; additional exams when signs/symptoms develop [5212(m)(1)(A), (m)(3)]. NOTE: Cal/OSHA DBCP is 8 CCR 5212, NOT 5215 (5215 regulates MBOCA/MOCA, a different chemical).

Evaluation performed by: Licensed physician (by or under the supervision of)

🩺 Baseline / Pre-Placement

At the time of initial assignment [5212(m)(2)]

  • Complete medical and occupational history, including reproductive history
  • Physical examination including genitourinary tract, testicle size, body habitus, and sperm count determination [5212(m)(2)(B)]
  • If a sperm count is unavailable, serum FSH and LH by radioimmunoassay [5212(m)(2)(C)]
  • Serum total estrogen by radioimmunoassay on females [5212(m)(2)(D)]
  • Other tests the physician deems appropriate
🕒 Periodic / Routine

Interval-based while covered — NOT result-triggered

Schedule: At least annually after the initial examination [5212(m)(2)].

  • Updated medical/occupational and reproductive history
  • Physical examination including genitourinary tract, testicle size, body habitus, sperm count
  • Serum FSH/LH if sperm count unavailable; serum total estrogen (females) by radioimmunoassay
  • Other tests the physician deems appropriate
⚠ Emergency / Post-Exposure

Emergency exposure

  • Sperm count determination as soon as practicable [5212(m)(6)]
  • Serum FSH/LH (and total estrogen for females) by radioimmunoassay if sperm count unavailable
  • Repeat of the same tests 3 months later [5212(m)(6)]
Abnormal results & exposure-event protocols

Abnormal Results & Exposure-Event Protocols

  • Employee develops signs/symptoms associated with DBCP exposure 8 CCR 5212(m)(3): Provide an additional medical examination including the reproductive battery. Tests: Sperm count / serum FSH, LH, total estrogen (females) by radioimmunoassay, Genitourinary physical examination
  • Physician detects an increased-risk condition 8 CCR 5212(m)(5)(A)(3): No explicit medical removal protection; physician recommends limitations on exposure or PPE use, which guide but do not mandate employer action. Tests: Follow-up reproductive testing as the physician recommends

Reporting Requirements

Who performs the evaluationLicensed physician
Reported to employerWritten opinion with examination/test results, any increased-risk determination, and recommended exposure/PPE limitations [5212(m)(5)(A)]; must not reveal findings unrelated to occupational exposure.
Reported to / for the employeeEmployer furnishes a copy of the written opinion to the employee.
Second-opinion / multi-physician reviewNo formal multiple-physician review mechanism specified.
RecordkeepingMedical records retained for at least 40 years or the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer (consistent with federal; 8 CCR 3204).

Medical Removal Protection

No explicit MRP; physician recommends exposure/PPE limitations only — equivalent to federal.

How this compares to Federal OSHA: Substantively equivalent — both mandate the same reproductive battery (sperm count, plus serum FSH/LH and total estrogen for females by radioimmunoassay) and the same emergency sperm-count protocol repeated at 3 months; neither imposes automatic medical removal. The key practitioner pitfall is the Cal/OSHA section number: DBCP = 8 CCR 5212, NOT 5215 (5215 is MBOCA). (CA recordkeeping retention and written-opinion timing marked unverified — not separately confirmed in 5212 text.)

Occu-Med handles 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) surveillance end-to-end

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