What is the maximum concentration of a chemical that should not be exceeded during a workday for 15 minutes?

The maximum concentration of a chemical that should not be exceeded during a workday for 15 minutes is typically determined based on exposure limits set by regulatory agencies, which take into account safety and health data. The answer indicates that 380 ppm represents the threshold above which significant health risks could arise if exposure occurs for an extended period, even if only for a short duration such as 15 minutes.

In occupational health guidelines, short-term exposure limits (STEL) are established to help prevent acute health effects that might occur from brief periods of high concentration exposure. The value 380 ppm suggests that, under normal circumstances, it is considered the maximum allowable concentration over that short time frame to ensure worker safety and minimize the risk of toxic reactions. Values lower than this would likely fall into safer ranges and are designed to protect against any potential acute effects, while 380 ppm being the maximum reflects an acceptance of risk close to occupational health standards.

The other answers represent concentrations that could arguably be below what research and regulatory guidance suggest as the highest permissible level for short duration exposure. While those values also indicate permissible levels, they do not represent the ceiling that manages risk most effectively for a 15-minute exposure scenario as established by current toxicological data.