# Vinyl chloride — OSHA medical surveillance trigger thresholds by substance

For Vinyl chloride, cfr section is 1910.1017; action level is 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day; pel is 1 ppm averaged over any 8-hour period; 5 ppm averaged over any period not exceeding 15 minutes; surveillance trigger is exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, to vinyl chloride in excess of the action level; exam frequency is at least annually (examinations must be provided in accordance with this paragraph at least annually), recorded from its source on 2026-08-12.

- **Substance:** Vinyl chloride _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **CFR section:** 1910.1017 _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **Action level:** 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day
- **PEL:** 1 ppm averaged over any 8-hour period; 5 ppm averaged over any period not exceeding 15 minutes
- **Surveillance trigger:** exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, to vinyl chloride in excess of the action level
- **Exam frequency:** at least annually (examinations must be provided in accordance with this paragraph at least annually)
- **Record retention:** duration of the employment of each employee plus 20 years, or 30 years, whichever is longer _(verified: appears in the quote below)_

## What the source says

> (ii) [Reserved] (iii) Medical records shall be maintained for the duration of the employment of each employee plus 20 years, or 30 years, whichever is longer. (n) The employer must, within 15 working days after the receipt of the results of any monitoring performed under this section , notify each affected employee of these results and the steps being taken to reduce exposures within the permissible exposure limit either individually in writing or by posting the results in an appropriate <https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=529ee1d7fa3659b1bbc5b4eaade8ec90&term_occur=999&term_src=Title:29:Subtitle:B:Chapter:XVII:Part:1910:1910.1017> location that is accessible to affected employees. Appendix A to <https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/1910.1017> § 1910.1017 —Supplementary Medical Information When required tests under paragraph (k)(1) of this section show abnormalities, the tests should be repeated as soon as practicable, preferably within 3 to 4 weeks. If tests remain abnormal, consideration should be given to withdrawal of the employee from contact with vinyl chloride , while a more comprehensive examination is made.

## Source

- https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/1910.1017

Last verified: 2026-08-12. Review by: 2027-02-08.
Part of [OSHA medical surveillance trigger thresholds by substance](https://referencesource.org/osha-medical-surveillance-triggers/).