Definition
In terms of monitoring exposure levels, the amount of a toxic substance taken into the body over a given period of time.
See also:
Acute Effect
An adverse effect on any living organism in which severe symptoms develop rapidly and often subside after the exposure stops.
Acute Toxicity
Adverse effects that result from a single dose or single exposure of a chemical; any poisonous effect produced within a short period of time, usually less than 96 hours. This term normally is used to describe effects in experimental animals.
Chronic Effect
An adverse effect on any living organism in which symptoms develop slowly over a long period of time or recur frequently.
Exposure Limit
The maximum permissible concentration of airborne asbestos fibers to which workers can be exposed over a specified time period. Regulatory limits vary by jurisdiction but typically include an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and a short-term exposure limit (STEL). Employers must monitor exposure levels and implement controls to ensure compliance with these limits to protect worker health.