Which agency is responsible for setting exposure standards for chemical sterilants?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for setting exposure standards for chemical sterilants. OSHA's mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. Part of this involves establishing permissible exposure limits (PELs) for hazardous chemicals, including those used in sterilization processes. These standards are crucial in protecting healthcare workers and others who may come into contact with chemical sterilants, as exposure can result in various health risks.

While other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), play important roles in regulating various aspects of public safety and health, they do not focus specifically on the occupational exposure limits for chemical sterilants as OSHA does. The EPA primarily focuses on environmental protection, the CDC provides guidelines for healthcare practices, and the FDA oversees the safety and effectiveness of medical devices, including some sterilants, rather than workplace exposure levels.