Environmental Health & Industrial Hygiene Flashcards

What is OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) for noise as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)?

Answer: 90 dB(A)

OSHA's PEL for occupational noise exposure is 90 dB(A) as an 8-hour TWA, with a 5 dB exchange rate.

Which organization publishes Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for chemical substances and physical agents in the workplace?

Answer: ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists)

The ACGIH publishes TLVs annually as recommended guidelines for occupational exposure to chemical substances and physical agents.

In the hierarchy of hazard controls, which method is considered the most effective for protecting workers?

Answer: Elimination

Elimination—completely removing the hazard—is the most effective control because it eradicates the risk rather than managing or reducing exposure to it.

Indoor CO2 levels above what concentration are generally associated with inadequate ventilation and increased occupant complaints?

Answer: 1,000 ppm

CO2 levels above 1,000 ppm typically indicate inadequate fresh air ventilation and are associated with occupant complaints such as headaches and reduced cognitive performance.

Under OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment (29 CFR 1910.95), at what noise action level must employers implement a hearing conservation program?

Answer: 85 dB(A) TWA

OSHA requires a hearing conservation program when employee noise exposures equal or exceed 85 dB(A) as an 8-hour TWA, triggering audiometric testing and hearing protection.

In industrial hygiene air sampling, what is the primary advantage of personal air sampling over area (fixed-point) air sampling?

Answer: It directly assesses the worker's actual breathing zone exposure

Personal air sampling collects air from the worker's breathing zone throughout the work shift, directly measuring the individual worker's actual inhalation exposure.

What does IDLH represent in the context of occupational health and industrial hygiene?

Answer: Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health — concentration posing immediate threat within 30 minutes

IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) is the maximum concentration from which a worker could escape within 30 minutes without suffering escape-impairing or irreversible health effects.