What Does
Exposure Limit Mean?
An exposure limit is an upper or lower level or legal limit used as a safety measure to prevent health and safety risks that may be caused by too much exposure to a toxic or unsafe substance. Exposure limits are simply the boundaries that are defined for substances that present a threat to human life and/or health. Exposure limits vary based on the substance in question and the work environment in which it’s being used.
Safeopedia Explains Exposure Limit
There are a few different types of exposure limits:
- Time-Weighted Exposure Value: An average exposure value that is generally calculated over an eight-hour day or 40-hour work week.
- Short-Term Exposure Limit: The maximum value of airborne contaminants, biological or chemical agents to which a worker can safely be exposed for 15-30 minutes at a time.
- Ceiling Exposure Limit: The concentration or highest level of exposure to a substance or hazard that is considered safe, and may not be exceeded at any point during the work day.