What is the maximum allowable concentration of a chemical during a 15-minute exposure period known as?

The term that describes the maximum allowable concentration of a chemical for a brief exposure, such as a 15-minute period, is TLV-STEL, which stands for "Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Exposure Limit." This standard is designed to protect workers from potential harm due to short-term exposure to hazardous substances.

TLV-STEL values are generally set at concentrations that should not be exceeded during any 15-minute interval within a workday. A TLV-STEL is particularly important in industries where workers might experience brief, higher-level exposures that could result in immediate physiological effects or acute health issues.

This concept is distinct from other types of TLVs, such as TLV-TWA, which refers to the maximum average concentration of a substance that workers can be exposed to during an 8-hour work shift, and TLV-C, which indicates a ceiling limit that should not be exceeded at any time. Each of these thresholds serves a different purpose in the context of occupational safety and health.