diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 2a17af1e32a..8a0bcc4b3a6 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ For experimental package changes, see the [experimental CHANGELOG](experimental/
 
 ### :boom: Breaking Change
 
+* fix(otlp-exporter-base)!: decrease default concurrency limit to 30 [#4211](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-js/pull/4211) @pichlermarc
+  * fixes a memory leak on prolonged collector unavailability
+  * this change is marked as breaking as it changes defaults
+
 ### :rocket: (Enhancement)
 
 ### :books: (Refine Doc)
diff --git a/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts b/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts
index 2c55a7f91ce..8a008dacb91 100644
--- a/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts
+++ b/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export abstract class OTLPExporterBase<
     this._concurrencyLimit =
       typeof config.concurrencyLimit === 'number'
         ? config.concurrencyLimit
-        : Infinity;
+        : 30;
 
     this.timeoutMillis = configureExporterTimeout(config.timeoutMillis);