Which organization is responsible for setting exposure limits for hazardous materials?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the correct answer because it is specifically tasked with research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness, including setting exposure limits for hazardous materials. NIOSH develops criteria for various workplace environments and establishes recommended exposure limits (RELs) for numerous hazardous substances based on scientific studies to protect the health of workers.

While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also play vital roles in regulating hazardous materials, their functions are somewhat different. The EPA focuses on maintaining and enforcing regulations to protect the environment and public health, whereas OSHA is responsible for ensuring workplace safety and health by setting and enforcing standards.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) manages transportation safety regulations and oversees the safe transport of hazardous materials but does not directly set exposure limits related to occupational health. Each organization has its distinct role in the broader framework of hazardous materials regulation, but NIOSH specifically focuses on exposure limits in occupational settings, making it the definitive authority in this context.