What is Industrial Hygiene?
Industrial hygiene, by definition, is the science devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of those environmental factors to protect worker’s health and safety. An Industrial Hygienist is a professional who is trained to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control workplace conditions that may cause illness or injury to workers.
The primary goal of industrial hygiene is to protect the health and well-being of workers by identifying and minimizing exposure to hazardous substances and physical agents in the workplace.
OSHA has developed and mandated many health requirements in more than six million U.S. workplaces. These requirements include air contaminants and chemical, biological, physical, and ergonomic hazards. For more specific information regarding the OSHA Requirements for Industrial Hygiene related topics see the General Industry Standards.
The Samplings SRCO Performs:
Asbestos Sampling, Hexavalent Chromium Sampling, Total Dust Sampling, Lead Sampling, Silica Sampling, Carbon Monoxide Sampling, Noise Sampling, Respirable Dust Sampling, Industrial Mold Sampling
Our hygienists take a sample of the air/material and write a report explaining the results of the sampling and recommendations for abatement. This report is then provided to the company.
Asbestos Sampling
Many building materials used in the past have asbestos within them. During demolition, asbestos containing material will break up and the particles can be brought into the respiratory system of employees. This can cause health issues such as asbestosis or mesothelioma over long periods of time. Sampling potential asbestos containing material can prevent exposure to workers. This allows employers to properly contain or remove asbestos containing materials.
The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos is .1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air averaged over an 8 hour workday. The Short-term Exposure Limit is 1 f/cc averaged over 30 minutes.
Hexavalent Chromium Sampling
Hexavalent Chromium is a highly toxic carcinogen, also known as Chromium-6 or Cr(VI). It is a naturally occurring substance but is more commonly found as a byproduct of industrial processes, including welding, chrome plating and leather tanning. This can cause health issues such as organ damage and respiratory issues.
The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 5mg/m3 over an 8 hour workday.
Silica Sampling
There are two main types of Silica, Amorphous, which is the non toxic form of silica. Crystalline Silica is the second and is highly hazardous to the human body. This can cause health issues such as Silicosis, Cancer and COPD. The dust created during mining, stone countertop fabrication and bricklaying are just a few of the areas where crystalline silica can be found.
The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 50mg/m3 over an 8 hour workday.
Respirable Dust Sampling
This sampling is for dust and particles the would be of a certain size and that would pass through the bronchial and into the lungs. The goal is the assess the potential health risks associated with inhaling these fine particles. It is specific to particulates not otherwise regulated.
The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 5mg/m3 over an 8 hour workday.
Our hygienists take a sample of the air and write a report explaining the results of the sampling and recommendations for abatement. This report is then provided to the company.
Total Dust Sampling
Total Dust Sampling is similar to Respirable Dust Sampling except for the size of the particle being sampled. Total Dust Particles are larger and get trapped within the bronchial instead of passing through to the lungs.
The Permissible Exposure Limit is 15mg/m3 over an 8 hour workday.
Carbon Monoxide Sampling
A colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, carbon monoxide is produced when fuels burn incompletely. This is a toxic gas that displaces oxygen and is highly flammable. Carbon Monoxide can cause serious health issues including brain damage, coma and death.
The Permissible Exposure Limit is 50ppm over an 8 hour workday.
Lead Sampling
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the earth’s crust. Historically used in paint, water pipes and gasoline, today lead is typically used only in batteries, solder and ammunition. Health issues associated with lead exposure include behavioral issues and developmental delays in children. In adults lead exposure can cause impaired kidney function, high blood pressure, and can effect the nervous system.
The Permissible Exposure Limit is 50mg/m3 over an 8 hour workday.
Noise Sampling
Noise sampling is required when there is a reasonable expectation that the overall noise level can reach over 85 decibels that the employees are exposed to. When this occurs there needs to be a hearing conservation program in place.
The Permissible Exposure Limit is 85 Decibels (dBA) over an 8 hour workday.
Our hygienists use dosimeters to measure the sound levels of the work area/employees hearing zone and write a report explaining the results of the sampling and recommendations for abatement. This report is then provided to the company.
Industrial Mold Sampling
This involves the collection and analyzing samples of mold, spores or other microbial growth in an industrial setting to assess air quality, identify the mold, and verify proper remediation of the mold in question. Health hazards of mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma flare-ups, even severe respiratory conditions may occur.
There is no single Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for mold, due to the fact that mold levels can vary significantly in each situation, even as far as in different rooms of the same building. OSHA and NIOSH both focus more on identifying and correcting the sources of moisture causing the mold growth.
