Question

The permissible level of a pollutant by a healthy person exposed for eight hours is called (a) pollutant limit value (b) toxie limit value (c) threshold limit value (d) contaminant limit value

Short answer

The permissible level of a pollutant by a healthy person exposed for eight hours is called the threshold limit value (c).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question is asking for the term used to describe the permissible level of a pollutant that a healthy person can be exposed to for eight hours.

Define Each Option

Identify the meaning of each option:(a) Pollutant limit value: The maximum allowed concentration of a specific pollutant.(b) Toxic limit value: The maximum level of a toxic substance that can be tolerated.(c) Threshold limit value: The level of airborne substances that represents conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effects.(d) Contaminant limit value: The maximum concentration limit for a contaminant.

Identify the Correct Term

Out of the given options, the correct term that matches the description of 'permissible level of a pollutant by a healthy person exposed for eight hours' is 'threshold limit value,' which is indicated by option (c).

Double-Check

Confirm the choice by revisiting the definitions and the question to ensure that 'threshold limit value' is indeed the correct term describing prolonged exposure limits.

Key concepts

Pollutant Exposure Levels

Pollutant exposure levels refer to the concentration of harmful substances people are exposed to in their environment. This can include air, water, and soil contaminants. The key is to ensure that these levels do not pose a risk to human health.
An important measure to consider is the Threshold Limit Value (TLV). This is the maximum amount of a substance a person can be exposed to without experiencing harmful effects.

• Time-Weighted Average (TWA): The average exposure over a standard workday, typically eight hours.
• Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL): The maximum concentration allowed for a short period, usually 15 minutes.
• Ceiling Value: The absolute maximum level that should not be exceeded at any time.

These are designed to protect workers and the general population from adverse health effects.

Environmental Health

Environmental health is a branch of public health that focuses on the interactions between people and their environment. It aims to identify and control harmful exposures that can lead to adverse health outcomes.
Key areas of focus include:

• Air Quality: Ensuring that the air we breathe is free from harmful pollutants like particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds.
• Water Safety: Protecting water sources from contamination to prevent waterborne diseases and exposure to toxic substances.
• Soil Health: Managing soil contamination to avoid harmful exposure through direct contact, ingestion, or inhalation of disturbed soil particles.
• Occupational Health: Monitoring workplace environments to protect workers from hazardous chemicals, excessive noise, and ergonomic hazards.

Effective environmental health measures help create healthier communities by preventing disease and promoting well-being.

Toxicity Thresholds

Toxicity thresholds are critical values that determine the point at which a substance starts to pose a risk to health. Understanding these thresholds is vital to setting safety standards and regulatory limits for various pollutants.
Important concepts include:

• No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL): The highest exposure level at which there are no significant adverse effects observed.
• Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (LOAEL): The smallest exposure level at which significant adverse effects are observed.
• Reference Dose (RfD): An estimate of daily exposure to the population that is not expected to cause harmful effects during a lifetime.

These thresholds help in the assessment and management of risks associated with exposure to chemicals and pollutants. They provide a scientific basis for establishing regulations and guidelines to protect public health.