What do PELs stand for?

The correct answer is "Permissible Exposure Limits." PELs are regulatory limits on the amount or concentration of a substance in the air, established by OSHA under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. These limits are designed to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. Each chemical or physical agent has its own specific PEL, which is determined based on extensive research and evaluation of potential health effects.

Understanding PELs is essential for ensuring safe working conditions, as they provide a benchmark against which levels of exposure can be monitored and managed. Employers are responsible for ensuring that their workers are not exposed to levels that exceed these limits.

The other options do not accurately reflect the accepted terminology and standards used in occupational safety. "Permissive Exposure Limits" suggests an allowance rather than a regulation, "Permanent Exposure Limits" implies a static measure that doesn't account for the need for regular review and updates based on new scientific findings, and "Personal Exposure Limits" suggests an individualized measure rather than a standardized limit applied across workplaces.