Publication related to RSI or an RSI staff member
The Global Landscape of Occupational Exposure Limits–Implementation of Harmonization Principles to Guide Limit Selection.
Occupational exposure limits (OELs) serve as health-based benchmarks against which measured or estimated workplace exposures can be compared. In the years since the introduction of OELs to public health practice, both developed and developing countries have established processes for deriving, setting, and using OELs to protect workers exposed to hazardous chemicals. These processes vary widely, however, and have thus resulted in a confusing international landscape for identifying and applying such limits in workplaces. The occupational hygienist will encounter significant overlap in coverage among organizations for many chemicals, while other important chemicals have OELs developed by few, if any, organizations. Where multiple organizations have published an OEL, the derived value often varies considerably-reflecting differences in both risk policy and risk assessment methodology as well as access to available pertinent data. This article explores the underlying reasons for variability in OELs, and recommends the harmonization of risk-based methods used by OEL-deriving organizations. A framework is also proposed for the identification and systematic evaluation of OEL resources, which occupational hygienists can use to support risk characterization and risk management decisions in situations where multiple potentially relevant OELs exist.
Authors
- Deveau, M, Deveau M, a McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.; b Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.
- Chen, C-P, Chen CP, c Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University , Taichung , Taiwan.
- Johanson, G, Johanson G, d Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.
- Krewski, D, Krewski D, a McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.
- Maier, A, Maier A, e Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
- Niven, K J, Niven KJ, f Shell Health, Shell International B.V. , The Hague , The Netherlands.
- Ripple, S, Ripple S, g Global Industrial Hygiene Expertise Center, The Dow Chemical Company , Midland , Michigan.
- Schulte, P A, Schulte PA, h Education and Information Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Cincinnati , Ohio.
- Silk, J, Silk J, i Directorate of Standards and Guidance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration , Washington, DC (Retired).
- Urbanus, J H, Urbanus JH, f Shell Health, Shell International B.V. , The Hague , The Netherlands.
- Zalk, D M, Zalk DM, j ES&H Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory , Livermore , California.
- Niemeier, R W, Niemeier RW, k Education and Information Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Cincinnati , Ohio.
Occupational exposure limits (OELs) serve as health-based benchmarks against which measured or estimated workplace exposures can be compared. In the years since the introduction of OELs to public health practice, both developed and developing countries have established processes for deriving, setting, and using OELs to protect workers exposed to hazardous chemicals. These processes vary widely, however, and have thus resulted in a confusing international landscape for identifying and applying such limits in workplaces. The occupational hygienist will encounter significant overlap in coverage among organizations for many chemicals, while other important chemicals have OELs developed by few, if any, organizations. Where multiple organizations have published an OEL, the derived value often varies considerably-reflecting differences in both risk policy and risk assessment methodology as well as access to available pertinent data. This article explores the underlying reasons for variability in OELs, and recommends the harmonization of risk-based methods used by OEL-deriving organizations. A framework is also proposed for the identification and systematic evaluation of OEL resources, which occupational hygienists can use to support risk characterization and risk management decisions in situations where multiple potentially relevant OELs exist.
