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Biological Substances
Unlike the chemical substances there are not many standardized measurement methods and occupational exposure limits for biological substances.This can be explained, since establishing health-based occupational exposure limits for biological substances is a lengthy and complicated process. The individual response to biological substances is extremely diverse. It depends on allergic reactions, hyper sensitivity, intolerance, but also on the immune status, which can strongly change in the course of a lifetime. There are many situations where one person may be exposed to biological agents without any effect, while another person at the same concentration shows severe negative effects.
There are some threshold values in use for the number of CFU (colonies forming units) without further distinction as to type, but so far, such a nonspecific threshold seems to have little future. For areas where people are working with sensitive products such as organic foods and infection sensitive situations (such as operating rooms) there are criteria, but they are focused on the 'product'.
The establishment of limits is currently not in sight. The studies are focused on large-scale epidemiological studies to determine relationships between exposure and effect. In addition, research to develop simple methods for the measurement of biological factors is ongoing, for example the exposure to allergens in animal laboratories.
Regarding Risk Assessment the general approach is: to compare similar work situations in terms of exposure and effects. Then take measures and repeat the assessment.
Therefore, in DOHSBase Compare no large comprehensive data on biological substances are included.
In Europe, the EC Directive 90/679/EEC "Protection of employees against the risks posed by biological substances" has been issued in 1990. This directive has been implemented into the national laws of the nations of the EU. In Germany the Committee for Biological Agents (abbreviation in German: ABAS) draws up the Technical Rules for Biological Agents (TRBA). In the USA, the ACGIH Bioaerosols Committee has the following mission: "To compile and disseminate information on biologically derived contaminants that may become airborne, to develop recommendations for assessment, control, remediation, and prevention of such hazards, and to establish criteria for bioaerosol exposure limits".
More information on the following biological substances in DOHSBase Compare is given by clicking below:
Back to: Overview of of the type of substances.