Which organization establishes threshold limit values (TLV)?

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) is the organization responsible for establishing Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). TLVs are guidelines designed to indicate the maximum concentration of a substance to which workers can be exposed without adverse health effects. ACGIH develops and publishes these values based on a comprehensive review of scientific literature and expert consensus, taking into consideration both occupational exposure and health risk factors.

Understanding TLVs is crucial for ensuring workplace safety, particularly in environments involving chemicals or hazardous substances. ACGIH's guidelines are widely adopted and used by various industries, making their recommendations significant for occupational health practices.

While other organizations, like NIOSH and OSHA, play vital roles in workplace safety and health regulation, ACGIH specifically focuses on the exposure levels of workplace substances. NIOSH provides recommendations and conducts research on occupational safety and health, while OSHA is responsible for enforcing safety regulations and standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primarily addresses environmental and public health issues rather than direct workplace exposure limits.