Permissible levels for occupational exposure; Basic concepts

Summary

The view point of the Dutch National MAC Commission and its Expert Committee on basic principles underlying permissible levels for occupational exposure is discussed. Standard setting is based upon a two-step procedure; viz., recommendation of acceptable levels (only health point of view), followed by establishment of accepted levels (policy decision). The MAC should not only protect the health of workers but also of their offspring. A new concept of health is proposed; no distinction between “injurious to health” and nuisance; safeguarding of functional capacities is essential; for each agent and situation the health risk should be determined in a considered judgement by experts. The concepts of dose-effect/response relationships; “adverse” character of an effect; relevance of an effect; at risk groups are discussed. The authors stress the need for safety factors and consider possibilities and limitations. A checklist of aspects always to be discussed is presented in an appendix. The objective of this paper is first of all to stimulate an international discussion.