What is the maximum permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos in air over an 8-hour time-weighted average?

The maximum permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos in air over an 8-hour time-weighted average is set at 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc). This standard is established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to protect workers from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure, which can lead to severe respiratory diseases, including asbestosis and lung cancer.

By limiting exposure to 0.1 f/cc over an 8-hour workday, workers are afforded a level of protection that minimizes the risk of accumulating harmful fibers in their lungs. This standard reflects a careful balance between necessary work practices and health risks associated with asbestos, considering that even low levels of airborne fibers can be dangerous over extended periods of exposure.

In contrast, values such as 0.05 f/cc, 1.0 f/cc, and 5.0 f/cc are either too low or too high for acceptable exposure limits. A value of 0.05 f/cc is not the current standard; while it may provide a more conservative measure of safety, the OSHA limit remains at 0.1 f/cc. The higher limits are not protective enough, given the known hazards of asbestos. Thus