What regulatory body sets the permissible exposure limits for asbestos?

The correct answer is that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the permissible exposure limits for asbestos in the workplace. OSHA is a regulatory body responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions by enforcing standards in various industries, including those involving hazardous materials like asbestos. The agency has developed specific regulations that establish how much asbestos a worker can be exposed to during their job, thereby protecting workers from the harmful health effects associated with asbestos exposure, such as lung cancer and asbestosis.

While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a significant role in regulating asbestos, especially in environmental contexts and public health, it does not set exposure limits specifically for workplace settings. Similarly, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and makes recommendations regarding occupational safety, but it is OSHA that enforces the permissible exposure limits. Lastly, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) focus more on environmental regulations rather than setting workplace exposure limits, making OSHA the appropriate authority for workplace exposure to asbestos.