Definitions

A Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is the maximum amount or

concentration of a chemical that a worker may be exposed to under OSHA
regulations.
The threshold limit value (TLV) of a chemical substance is a level to
which it is believed a worker can be exposed day after day for a working
lifetime without adverse effects. Strictly speaking, TLV is a reserved term
of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH).
A PEL is usually given as a time-weighted average (TWA), although
some are short-term exposure limits (STEL) or ceiling limits. A TWA is
the average exposure over a specified period of time, usually a nominal
eight hours
A short-term exposure limit (STEL) is the acceptable average
exposure over a short period of time, usually 15 minutes as long as the
time-weighted average is not exceeded. STEL is a term used in
occupational health, industrial hygiene and toxicology.

How PEL used.

Permissible exposure limits are set by OSHA to protect
workers against the adverse effects of exposure to
chemical substances. In the world of gas detection, PELs
limit the amount or concentration of a substance in the air
and generally are based on an 8-hour time-weighted
average exposure.

How TLV used.

A threshold limit value, set by the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists, is the limit of exposure
to a chemical substance that a worker can be exposed to,
day after day, without adverse health effects. TLVs are
estimates based on the known toxicity of a chemical
substance in humans or animals given the currently
available analytical and technological resources. To
determine TLVs, ACGIH uses committees to review various
published literature in disciplines such as industrial
hygiene, toxicology and occupational medicine. TLVs are

then developed as recommendations or guidelines and are

intended to be interpreted and used by a person trained in
the discipline of industrial hygiene.
TLV and PEL
Although industrial hygienists must ensure they meet the
PELs set by OSHA, they and their organization may choose
to adopt TLVs for certain chemical substances provided
they are appropriate for the application because TLVs
generally are more stringent than PELs. One must keep in
mind, though, that TLVs are based solely on health factors,
not economic or technical feasibility. In my world of gas
detection, I have heard of TLVs for certain gases where the
required level of detection to accurately measure against
the TLV is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve given the
current gas detection technology available.
While OSHA and ACGIH are both doing commendable work
in setting their respective limits for the greater good of
protecting the workforce, differences in opinion regarding
which limit one should adopt are likely to continue. I cannot
definitively say which limit is best; again, both limits are set
by their respective organization with the most noble of
intentions. However, I can say that the PELs set by OSHA
are legal limits, where the TLVs set by the ACGIH are not
legal limits. As far as adopting the generally more stringent
requirements of TLV, an industrial hygienist will know his or
her application best and is the person most suited to
determine the limits for the organization.