Which organization established the permissible exposure limit for asbestos?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the organization responsible for establishing the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos in the workplace. OSHA's regulations are designed to protect workers from harmful exposure to toxic substances, including asbestos, which is known to pose serious health risks such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

OSHA's PEL for asbestos is a crucial standard that limits the amount of asbestos fibers that workers can be exposed to over a given period, specifically an 8-hour work shift. This standard is established based on scientific research and assessments of risk to ensure adequate protection for employees in various industries that may involve asbestos exposure.

Other organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) play significant roles in managing asbestos-related issues, but they do not set the workplace exposure limits. For instance, the EPA primarily focuses on asbestos in the environment and risks associated with it, while NIOSH conducts research and makes recommendations regarding occupational health and safety. The CPSC focuses on consumer products and does not directly establish exposure limits for workplace safety.