Environment, health and safety
Which correctly describes the occupational exposure limit of a hazardous chemical?
- AThe concentration at which almost no one is judged to suffer adverse health effects even with repeated exposure of about eight hours a day
- BThe concentration above which fire always occurs
- CThe maximum concentration at which the substance dissolves in water
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. The concentration at which almost no one is judged to suffer adverse health effects even with repeated exposure of about eight hours a day
Occupational exposure limits (from the Japan Society for Occupational Health) and TLVs (from the US ACGIH) are benchmarks: if the average concentration a worker is exposed to over about 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week stays at or below the value, almost no one is expected to suffer adverse health effects. They are used to manage the work environment and to judge whether local exhaust or protective equipment is needed.
- A. Correct. It is a concentration benchmark for preventing health effects.
- B. Values such as the lower explosive limit relate to combustion.
- C. How readily something dissolves in water is its solubility.