Development of emergency response planning guidelines (ERPGs)

Abstract

Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs) are airborne concentrations of chemicals that have been evaluated for three levels of emergency response. These are a nuisance level, and level that would affect egress from an exposure or a level that is near, but below a life threatening concentration. The ERPG is a volunteer committee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association that is comprised of industrial hygienists and toxicologists. This paper describes the history of emergency response guidelines and process of the evaluation.