Threshhold Limit Value (TLV)

Term: Threshold Limit Value (TLV)Definition: The Threshold Limit Value (TLV) is a guideline established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) that represents the maximum concentration of a chemical substance, including asbestos, to which workers can be exposed without adverse health effects.Phonetic Pronunciation: (THRESH-hohld LIM-it VAL-yoo)Origin: The term "Threshold Limit Value" was developed in the mid-20th century by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The word "threshold" originates from the Old English "threscold," referring to a point of entry or beginning. "Limit" comes from the Latin "limes," meaning boundary, and "value" from the Latin "valere," meaning to be worth or strong.Significance in Asbestos Context: The TLV for asbestos is critical in occupational settings as it helps set safety standards and guidelines for exposure levels. It plays a crucial role in assessing workplace safety and in legal cases where exposure levels are contested. Understanding the TLV aids in determining whether an individual's exposure to asbestos was within safe limits or if it posed a health risk.Example Sentence: "In the lawsuit, the plaintiff's attorneys argued that the company's failure to maintain asbestos exposure below the Threshold Limit Value directly contributed to the development of their client's mesothelioma."Related Terms: Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), Time-Weighted Average (TWA), Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL), Asbestos Exposure, Industrial HygieneNotes: - TLVs are advisory guidelines and not legally enforceable limits. - Different countries may have their own exposure limits that differ from the ACGIH's TLVs. - TLVs can change over time as more research becomes available on the health effects of substances like asbestos.