Air contaminants exposure limits

Information on exposure limits to solvent emissions in the workplace is provided in Table 19.2. These permissible exposure limit (PEL) values were obtained from OSHA s Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3. They are the maximum allowed PELs legally enforceable by OSHA. 

There are various sources of additional helpful information on toe safe use of solvents in the workplace. The Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS) of California s Department of Health Services has a 50-page document (Using Solvent Safely) that describes methods of using solvents in the workplace. This document includes information on solvents that pose reproductive problems to both women and men. For more information, visit their website on http //www.ohb.org/solvmenu.htm.  

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Use administrative controls such as scheduling to limit woiker exposure to many workplace hazards such as working in hot areas. However, OSHA prohibits employee scheduling to meet the requirement of air contaminant exposure limits. The scheduling of maintenance and other high exposure operations during evenings or weekends can reduce exposures. Use job rotation to limit repetitive motion tasks or reduce the exposure time to occupational noise hazards. Use a work-rest schedule for very hazardous or strenuous tasks. 

Under the OSH Act, employers are required to provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards. Employers are also required to maintain accurate records of employees exposure to potentially toxic materials required to be monitored or measured, conduct periodic inspections, and notify employees if they are exposed to toxic materials at higher levels than those prescribed by existing health and safety regulations. 18.1.6.1.2 Air Contaminants Exposure Limits ... 

Toxicity data are presented in the literature by such terms as "LDjo" and "LC50", that lethal dose per kilogram of body weight or lethal concentration that can kill SO percent of an animal population. Such data are found, for example, in the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS). WiA data such as these obtained from animals closely resembling the human in biochemistry, relative toxicides can be established to characterize chemicals. These data in conjuncdon with air contaminant threshold limit values (TLV) or permissible exposiure limits (PEL), set by law for short periods of exposure or eight-hour. 

Air Contaminants—Permissible Exposure Limit," Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part CFR 1910.1000, OSHA, 1989, p. 3112. 

This exposure is not excessive since 7 ppm is below the 8-hour time-weighted average of 10 ppm. Mixtures of air contaminants are additive and calculated in the manner described previously that is, the fractions (concentration divided by limit for each material) are added together and if the sum does not exceed unity, the exposure is not excessive. 

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