TLV also known as the Threshold limit value of any chemical substance is a level of the chemical to which a worker can be exposed day after day for a working lifetime without any adverse effects.
It is stated in parts per million (PPM) of the surrounding air and for fumes, mists, and dust as milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) of surrounding air.
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Threshold limit value is a reserved term of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). TLVs issued by the ACGIH are the most widely accepted occupational exposure limits both in the United States and most other countries.
Note: Threshold limit value is a guideline and not a legal standard.
It is estimated based on the known toxicity in humans or animals of a given chemical substance, and the reliability and accuracy of the latest sampling and analytical methods.
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Types of TLV for Chemical Substances
The three types of TLVs for chemical substances are:
- Average (TLV-TWA): This is the average exposure based on an 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week work schedule.
- Threshold Limit Value – Short-Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL): This is the spot exposure for 15 minutes that cannot be repeated more than 4 times per day with at least 60 minutes between exposure periods.
- Threshold Limit Value – Ceiling Limit (TLV-C): This is the absolute exposure limit that should not be exceeded at any time.
See the threshold limit value table here
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