Which government agency in California is responsible for setting the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) of chemicals?

B is the correct choice because California OSHA (the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health) is the agency specifically responsible for occupational safety and health regulations, which include establishing Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for hazardous substances used in workplaces. PELs are put in place to protect workers from harmful exposure to chemicals, and California OSHA implements and enforces these limits in accordance with state laws.

The other agencies play distinctive roles that do not typically involve setting PELs in the context of occupational health. The California Department of Health primarily focuses on broader public health initiatives and safety regulations, while the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned with environmental protection, including chemical safety, on a national level rather than setting workplace-specific PELs. The California Department of Industrial Relations oversees various labor-related matters but does not specifically set PELs; instead, it works alongside agencies like California OSHA to ensure safe working conditions.