Hygienic limits

Hygienic limit is the value of concentration (for dust, chemicals) or factor intensities (for noise, vibration, physical stress) significant in terms of the effect of living or working conditions on human health, to which it is assumed that almost all persons can be exposed without adversely affecting their health. The issue of hygiene limits can be demonstrated by the difference between occupational and environmental limits.

Limits for the working environment

 * the worker is exposed to higher concentrations or intensities of agents
 * the exposure lasts for a limited period of time
 * the person is an adult "healthy" person
 * exposure is controllable

Limits for the environment

 * applies to the whole population, including children, the elderly and the sick
 * usually lifelong exposure
 * exposure is not controllable

For complex exposure to (one and the same) pollutant (from air, water, food), the so-called acceptable daily dose (ADD) is considered, i.e. the dose of a pollutant that, when applied to a person over a lifetime, will not cause disease. In the case of combined exposure to pollutants (in a mixture) in a particular part of the environment (air, water, food), the possibility of simple addition of effects but also potentiation or protection, must be considered.