Which organization publishes Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)?

Which organization publishes Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)?

• A. OSHA
• B. ACGIH
• C. NIOSH
• D. EPA

Answer: (A)

PELs are regulatory exposure limits established by a government agency to protect workers from hazardous substances; they are legally enforceable in the workplace. The correct organization is the one responsible for creating and enforcing these limits, which OSHA does as part of its occupational safety standards. ACGIH provides Threshold Limit Values, which are professional guidelines used to design controls but are not legally binding. NIOSH offers Recommended Exposure Limits for guidance and prevention, also not enforceable by law. The EPA handles environmental and broader public health limits, not workplace PELs. In practice, if air sampling shows exposures at or above the OSHA PEL, employers must implement controls to reduce exposures and protect workers.

PELs are regulatory exposure limits established by a government agency to protect workers from hazardous substances; they are legally enforceable in the workplace. The correct organization is the one responsible for creating and enforcing these limits, which OSHA does as part of its occupational safety standards. ACGIH provides Threshold Limit Values, which are professional guidelines used to design controls but are not legally binding. NIOSH offers Recommended Exposure Limits for guidance and prevention, also not enforceable by law. The EPA handles environmental and broader public health limits, not workplace PELs. In practice, if air sampling shows exposures at or above the OSHA PEL, employers must implement controls to reduce exposures and protect workers.