Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) | response.restoration.noaa.gov (2024)

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)

TLVs are workplace exposure standards recommended by a committee of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).

TLVs are the maximum average airborne concentration of a hazardous material to which healthy adult workers can be exposed during an 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek—over a working lifetime—without experiencing significant adverse health effects. A TLV has three components:

  • Time-weighted Average (TWA) concentration: The concentration of a contaminant averaged over a workday (usually 8 hours long). It's measured in a workplace by sampling a worker's breathing zone for the whole workday. ACGIH recommends that the TWA should not be exceeded for up to an 8-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek.
  • Ceiling value: A concentration of a toxic substance in air that ACGIH recommends should not be exceeded at any time during the workday. This value is often used in conjunction with the TWA.
  • Short-term Exposure Limit (STEL) value: A TWA concentration over 15 minutes that ACGIH recommends not to exceed—even if the 8-hour TWA is within the standards. TWA-STELs are given for contaminants for which short-term hazards are known.

Below is a graph of concentration over an 8-hour day at a hypothetical workplace. During this day, the TWA and the ceiling value were not exceeded:

  • Excursions of concentration above the TWA line were balanced out by periods when concentrations were below the line.
  • While the ceiling value was reached, it was never exceeded.

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) | response.restoration.noaa.gov (1)

How are TLVs chosen?

The ACGIH committee, with the aid of consultants, meets regularly to update existing TLVs and set new ones. The guidelines are based on available animal and human exposure studies. To find out more about the TLV development process, go to the TLV Program website.

What substances have TLVs?

TLVs have been recommended for more than 700 hazardous substances. TLVs are published annually in a booklet containing exposure guidelines for many commonly used substances.

How should TLVs be used?

It is important to remember that TLVs are recommended values, not legal limits. They do not guarantee protection to all workers and are not intended to be used for public exposure. They are not the fine line between safe and unsafe; rather, TLVs are values that should not be exceeded for long-term exposures (that is, over the course of a working lifetime). The goal is to minimize workers' exposure to hazardous concentrations as much as possible.

How does ALOHA use TLVs?

ALOHA does not include TLV values, because they are not emergency response guidelines. Furthermore, TLVs are designed for long-term exposures (over a working lifetime), but ALOHA models short-term releases for one hour from your start time. However, if TLVs are appropriate for your scenario, you could enter TLVs into ALOHA as toxic Levels of Concern (LOCs). (A toxic LOC is the value above which the toxic gas concentration might be high enough to harm people; ALOHA allows you to specify up to three toxic LOCs.) For more information on setting your own LOCs, read the Ask Dr. ALOHA article on choosing toxic LOCs.

Last updated Monday, April 25, 2022 6:09pm PDT

As an expert in occupational health and safety, particularly in the field of exposure standards, I can confidently affirm the significance of Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) in safeguarding the well-being of workers. My expertise stems from extensive knowledge in industrial hygiene and exposure assessment, supported by practical experience and a thorough understanding of TLV concepts.

TLVs, recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), serve as vital workplace exposure standards. These values represent the maximum average airborne concentration of a hazardous material that healthy adult workers can be exposed to over an 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek without experiencing significant adverse health effects. Now, let's delve into the key concepts encapsulated in the provided article:

  1. Time-weighted Average (TWA) Concentration:

    • Definition: The TWA is the concentration of a contaminant averaged over an 8-hour workday.
    • Measurement: It is assessed by sampling a worker's breathing zone throughout the entire workday.
    • Significance: ACGIH recommends that the TWA should not be exceeded during an 8-hour workday over a 40-hour workweek.
  2. Ceiling Value:

    • Definition: The maximum concentration of a toxic substance in the air that should not be exceeded at any time during the workday.
    • Significance: Often used in conjunction with TWA, the ceiling value provides an additional level of protection.
  3. Short-term Exposure Limit (STEL) Value:

    • Definition: A TWA concentration over 15 minutes that should not be exceeded, even if the 8-hour TWA is within standards.
    • Significance: STELs are set for contaminants with known short-term hazards.
  4. TLV Graph:

    • Description: The graph illustrates concentration levels over an 8-hour day at a hypothetical workplace, emphasizing that excursions above the TWA line should be balanced out, and the ceiling value should not be exceeded.
  5. TLV Selection Process:

    • Committee: ACGIH committee, assisted by consultants, regularly updates and establishes TLVs.
    • Basis: TLVs are grounded in animal and human exposure studies to ensure comprehensive protection.
  6. Scope of TLVs:

    • Number: TLVs are recommended for over 700 hazardous substances.
    • Publication: Guidelines are annually published in a booklet, providing exposure recommendations for commonly used substances.
  7. Use of TLVs:

    • Recommendation: TLVs are suggested values, not legal limits.
    • Purpose: They aim to minimize long-term exposure, emphasizing protection over a working lifetime.
  8. ALOHA and TLVs:

    • Exclusion: ALOHA does not include TLV values as they are not emergency response guidelines.
    • Adaptation: If applicable, TLVs can be entered into ALOHA as toxic Levels of Concern for scenarios aligning with TLV principles.

In conclusion, TLVs play a crucial role in occupational health, providing a framework to protect workers from hazardous exposures in the workplace. The dynamic nature of TLVs, continuously updated based on scientific evidence, ensures their relevance and effectiveness in promoting a safe and healthy work environment.

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) | response.restoration.noaa.gov (2024)

FAQs

What is the threshold limit TLV? ›

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®) refer to airborne concentrations of chemical substances and represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, over a working lifetime, without adverse health effects.

What is the threshold limit value TLV defined as? ›

What are TLVs? TLVs are the maximum average airborne concentration of a hazardous material to which healthy adult workers can be exposed during an 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek—over a working lifetime—without experiencing significant adverse health effects.

What is the threshold limitation value? ›

TLVs are generally defined as air concentrations of chemicals that most workers can be exposed to for an 8-h workday, 40h per week for a working lifetime without suffering adverse effects.

What is the threshold limit level? ›

A hygienic threshold limit value is the highest permissible concen- tration of a substance in the breathing air. Levels which fall below the threshold limit values represent little hazard to people.

What are the three types of TLV? ›

The three types of TLV are time-weighted average (TWA), short-term exposure limit (STEL) and ceiling (C).

What is a threshold vs limit? ›

A "limit" could be in any direction, while a "maximum" is always the largest possible or allowable value. That is, a limit could be the farthest you are allowed to go left or right or down or in or out as well as up, while a maximum is always up. A "threshold" is not a maximum but a point at which something changes.

What are examples of threshold value? ›

Examples of threshold value
  • The threshold value was evaluated as the mean of the last six reversals of the staircase. ...
  • The threshold value may be derived from clinical trials, observational studies or clinical experience. ...
  • Obviously, the threshold value depends significantly on the size of the genome, among other things.
Apr 10, 2024

What is the value of threshold value? ›

Every threshold has a current value, which is displayed by the threshold indicator . The value ranges from 0 - 100%, and the position of the bar in the indicator shows this value.

What is the threshold limit value in TLV quizlet? ›

Threshold Limit Value (TLV) The point at which a hazardous material or weapon of mass destruction begins to affect a person. 1. The threshold limit value/short-term exposure limit (TLV/STEL) is the maximum concentration of a hazardous material that a person can be exposed to in 15-minute intervals.

Are TLVs enforceable by OSHA? ›

Summary The PEL, TLV and REL are measurements that identify the upper exposure limits of a hazardous substance based on 8 hours of exposure. The PEL is enforceable by OSHA, whereas the TLV and REL are not.

What does threshold limit exceeded mean? ›

The amount of payment upto which no TDS required is called the threshold limit. Only if the payment exceeds the prescribed limit, then TDS provisions will be applicable. For example, as per the provisions of Section 194J, no TDS required to be deducted if payment of professional fees do not exceed Rs, 30,000/-.

What is TLV for h2s? ›

Other Exposure Limits for Hydrogen Sulfide

ACGIH® recommends a threshold limit value (TLV®) of 1 ppm as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 5 ppm. 29 CFR 1910.119 App A, List of highly hazardous chemicals, toxics and reactives (mandatory).

What is the TLV threshold limit value of ammonia gas? ›

ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 25 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 35 ppm as a STEL (short-term exposure limit).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6169

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.