Why do certain chemicals have a threshold limit value (TLV)?

Threshold limit values (TLVs) are established to indicate levels of exposure that are considered safe for human health. These values are determined based on a variety of scientific studies and expert evaluations that assess the potential health effects of chemicals when humans are exposed to them over a working lifetime. TLVs take into account the best available data regarding how much of a substance can be present without causing harmful effects.

By setting TLVs, organizations and regulatory bodies aim to protect workers and the general population by providing guidelines that limit exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. This is crucial for maintaining occupational and public health, ensuring that exposure levels are manageable and do not pose significant risks to well-being.

In contrast, other choices focus on aspects such as toxicity measurement in animals, environmental impacts, or drug effectiveness, which do not directly pertain to the purpose and rationale behind the establishment of TLVs. Thus, the primary function of TLVs focuses specifically on human health and safety in relation to chemical exposures.