California Cosmetology Written ExamChemical Texture ServicesHard
A salon in California offers keratin smoothing treatments. Under Cal-OSHA regulations, what is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde as an 8-hour time-weighted average?
- A0.75 ppm
- B2.0 ppm
- C5.0 ppm
- D0.1 ppm
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 0.75 ppm
Cal-OSHA sets the formaldehyde PEL at 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, with a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 ppm over 15 minutes; salons using keratin treatments must monitor and ventilate accordingly.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 2.0 ppm is the short-term exposure limit (STEL), not the 8-hour PEL.
- C. 5.0 ppm greatly exceeds any legal exposure limit for formaldehyde.
- D. 0.1 ppm is too low; it is not the Cal-OSHA PEL figure.
Cal-OSHA Formaldehyde PEL
Cal-OSHA's permissible exposure limit for formaldehyde is 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, with a 2 ppm short-term exposure limit.
- Applies to keratin/formaldehyde smoothing treatments in salons
- Requires proper ventilation and exposure monitoring
- STEL is 2 ppm for any 15-minute period
Memory trick: 'Point-seven-five keeps you alive over 8 hours'