Volatile Organic Compounds Exposure Assessment

Workplace exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is common in processes involving, for example, paints, lacquers, adhesives, inks, resins, degreasing, chemical manufacturing and synthetic fibres.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations require that health risks created by work involving hazardous substances should be assessed so that exposure can be prevented or controlled. This may include measurement to assess exposure and test the effectiveness of containment or ventilation etc.

Ambient BTEX Monitoring
A laboratory analysis service is also available for ambient level benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene sampled on diffusion tubes for 2-4 weeks. The method is based on the new standard ISO 16017-2.

The Service Provided by HSL
The customer can choose the level of service required. We can:

• Supply only the diffusive monitors. These can be used to sample for periods between 0.25 - 8 hours and are then sent to HSL for analysis. HSL can advise on your particular application.

• Provide trained staff to collect the samples at your site for subsequent analysis at HSL.

• Provide qualified occupational hygienists to collect the samples, assess control measures and provide guidance on reducing exposure where appropriate.

In some cases active (pumped) sampling is more appropriate if sampling for 15 minutes or less, or when compliance to less than 0.5ppm for up to 8 hours (detection limits for 8 hour diffusive sampling are about 0.01ppm). Results can be reported as time-weighted values expressed as mg/m³ or ppm. In the majority of cases the service is covered by our UKAS accreditation schedule.

HSL has extensive experience in occupational hygiene, atmospheric and biological monitoring. We offer a range of services that can be combined to meet your needs:

• Analysis (chemical, biological, microbiological and fibres)
• On-site measurements
• Occupational hygiene surveys
• Biological and health effect monitoring

Biological monitoring can be used to assess exposure to solvents and is especially useful where skin exposure is likely or where control of exposure relies on personal protective equipment such as gloves and respiratory protection. Breath sampling is a straightforward way of assessing exposure to mixtures of solvents or unknown solvents.

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Unit by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.