TLV® is a trademark of the ACGIH. TLVs® are similar in concept to maximum permissible exposures (MPE) and permissible exposure limits (PEL), though they are distinct. The ACGIH (www.acgih.org) defines TLVs as follows.
Threshold limit values (TLVs®) are determinations made by a voluntary body of independent knowledgeable individuals who represent the opinion of the scientific community that exposure at or below the level of the TLV® does not create an unreasonable risk of disease or injury.
TLVs® are not standards. They are guidelines designed for use by industrial hygienists in making decisions regarding safe levels of exposure to various physical agents found in the workplace. TLVs® are health-based values established by committees that review existing published and peer-reviewed literature in various scientific disciplines (e.g., industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, and epidemiology). Since TLVs®are based solely on health factors, there is no consideration given to economic...