Application of a framework for the selection of an appropriate occupational exposure limit for manganese

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) serve as benchmarks for the interpretation of workplace exposures within a health risk context. Different organizations derive OELs for many chemicals, including manganese. OELs recommended by different organizations can vary quantitatively, which can present a challenge to occupational hygienists or other risk managers that need to select a value for decision-making purposes. In this article, we illustrate the application of a previously-developed OEL selection framework to demonstrate the decisions that would be required to select the most appropriate OEL for various manganese exposure scenarios. The framework helped to identify the need to focus an evaluation on three quantitatively similar values-the ACGIH TLV, SCOEL IOELV, and DFG MAK. These values were compared with regulatory standards and considered for their relevance and reliability. The OEL selection framework was a useful tool in guiding the selection process for manganese OELs.