SafetyQuestion 677 of 700
For respirable crystalline silica in construction, the permissible exposure limit is about 50 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour average. At approximately what airborne level does the 'action level' trigger additional requirements such as exposure monitoring?
a.About 25 micrograms per cubic meter (8-hour average)
b.About 5 micrograms per cubic meter
c.About 100 micrograms per cubic meter
d.About 250 micrograms per cubic meter
Explanation
Correct: the action level is roughly half the PEL, about 25 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour average; reaching it triggers duties such as exposure assessment and medical surveillance eligibility. Five micrograms is far too low and matches lead-related figures, not silica. One hundred and 250 micrograms both exceed the PEL itself, so they cannot be the action level.
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