The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) concept in occupational health represents:
- A The time-weighted average concentration to which workers may be exposed for an 8-hour workday without adverse health effects ✓
- B The maximum concentration causing immediate danger to life or health (IDLH)
- C The odour threshold concentration of a toxic substance
- D The lethal concentration for 50% of exposed animals (LC50)
Correct answer: A. The time-weighted average concentration to which workers may be exposed for an 8-hour workday without adverse health effects
Explanation
The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL, equivalent to Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average, TLV-TWA of ACGIH) is the maximum allowable time-weighted average concentration of a chemical substance in workplace air over an 8-hour workday, 40-hour work week, to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse health effects. IDLH is a different (much higher, immediately dangerous) threshold.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.