| |
About Us
Capabilities
Case Studies
Proficiency Testing
Publications
News
Careers
Training
ENB |
Introduction
| Fire, Explosion & Process
Safety | Human Factors
& Risk Assessment
Occupational & Environmental
Health | Safety Engineering |
Work Environment
Photographic & Technical
Services | Specialist
Scientific Facilities
Breath Analysis
Organic solvents are widely used in industry. They can be absorbed by inhalation, ingestion and through the skin. Biological monitoring assesses total solvent exposure by measuring the chemical or its metabolites in blood, breath or urine. Breath sampling is a good non-invasive alternative to blood sampling for assessing solvent exposure. The Bio-VOC breath sampler developed by HSL is designed to provide a simple and cost-effective means of assessing solvent exposure in the workplace.
The sampler captures the final portion of an exhalation, the end-expired air, which is in equilibrium with the blood. This is then transferred onto a stainless steel tube packed with an adsorbent material. Any solvents present in breath are trapped in the tube which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The Bio-VOC sampler received the Chairman's Choice Prize at the Chemical Engineers' Excellence in Safety and Environment Awards 1999.
Case Studies
The breath sampler has been successfully used to assess solvent exposure in a number of industries. It has been particularly valuable for monitoring perchloroethylene in the dry-cleaning industry where the only biological monitoring alterative is blood sampling. Guidance values are available as an aid to interpretation. HSL have used the breath sampler to look at task-based exposures as well as investigating cumulative exposures of nearby residents.
In the shoe industry a single breath sample has replaced several metabolite assays for monitoring multiple solvent exposure, particularly acetone, MEK and toluene. Good correlations have been found with urinary markers and interpretation is possible using such correlations.
If you would like to use the Bio-VOC sampler to assess exposure to organic solvents, there are two ways to proceed:
-
Health and Safety Laboratory
Contact the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to loan the sampler and for analytical services. We will then analyse the samples and invoice you for the analysis costs only. All equipment must be returned to HSL. Types of analysis available are:
• Single solvent, one named solvent quantified.
• Multi-solvent, up to 4 named solvents quantified.
• Solvent screen, identification and semi-quantitative
analysis of unknown solvents.
- Markes International
Contact Markes International (Mi) to buy the BIO-VOC samplers,
telephone 01443 230935 http://www.markes.com/en/samplecollection/samplingaccys/biovocbreathsample.aspx.
Discounts are available for batch buying.
Further Details
Contact our Business Development Group by telephone (+44) 01298 218218,
fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.
Back to the top
|
