title: Critical effects and exposure limits.
abstract: The use of critical effects in the determination of occupational exposure limits (OELs) in Sweden is subjected to a statistical study. Many of the present OELs are high in relation to known no-effect levels and effect levels, and the degree of protection has a surprisingly weak correlation with the seriousness of the adverse effect. Several proposals for improved procedures are put forward. One of these is to supplement the concept of critical effects with that of dominant effects. A dominant effect of a substance is a health effect that is at some concentration the most serious health effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Hansson
mesh_terms: D000096:Acetone / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002209:Caprolactam / Q000009:adverse effects; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004986:Ether / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000009:adverse effects; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D002273:Carcinogens; D007509:Irritants; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D012997:Solvents; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; D004986:Ether; D000096:Acetone; C042175:dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether; D002209:Caprolactam; C015559:trimellitic anhydride; C011566:vinyl acetate; C043103:phthalic anhydride; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide