ABSTRACT
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the occupational exposure limits (OELs) of chemical substances in China. It provides historical background on the development of OELs in this country, with a complete list of traditionally adopted and newly developed OELs for chemicals in workplaces. The philosophical thoughts, the administrative system, the scientific protocols for setting and amending health standards, with emphasis on making health a basic criterion for setting health standards, strengthening epidemiological studies of the human population, integrating epidemiological and toxicological studies, considering technological and economical feasibilities, and making full use of literature information sources are discussed. Further perspectives with respect to practical issues of maximum allowable concentration and time-weighted average, selection of safety factors, and establishment of biological exposure limits are also considered, with the authors' contributions to a discussion on these topics.
Subject(s)
Occupational Exposure/standards , Air Pollutants, Occupational/analysis , Air Pollutants, Occupational/toxicity , Animals , Carcinogens/toxicity , China , Humans , Maximum Allowable Concentration , Occupational Exposure/prevention & controlABSTRACT
This article reviews the history and implementation of the development of occupational hygiene standard setting in the People's Republic of China. The author raises questions concerned with standard setting and gives examples of toxicants for which the scientific basis of revision is given. The principles and approaches used to set or revise hygiene standards in China are explained, and suggestions to help speed up the standard setting are also given. As a rule, field and epidemiologic surveys and the utilization of existing toxicologic information are emphasized. Repetitions of animal experimentation should be avoided.
