In our Gas Detection Applications Primer, we describe the notion of recommended and regulatory limits, as applied to toxic gases in the workplace. Discussed therein are the OSHA parameters of Permissible Exposure Limit, Action Level, and Ceiling Value. If this “Action Level” is detected during initial monitoring of the occupancy in question, that is the…
We introduce this subject matter in our Gas Detection Applications Primer. OSHA has promulgated PELs (Permissible Exposure Limits) for many substances, and—unlike the ACGIH TLV®s—these have the force of law behind them. In general, the PELs are 8-hour time weighted averages, but ceiling limits have been established for some chemicals. 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1…
According to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists… “Biological monitoring provides one of the means to assess the exposure and health risk to workers. It entails the measurement of the concentration of a chemical determinant in the biological media of those exposed and is an indicator of the uptake of a substance. Biological Exposure…
This is a question posed by one of our readers… Most codes and standards—at least regarding allowable concentrations of various substances—are promulgated by domestic jurisdictions, whether at the state/province or national governmental level. However, there are numerous international organizations that publish recommendations on best practices and safe handling of chemicals, including: Center for Chemical Process…
As landlord for the civilian federal government, the Public Buildings Service—a principal division of the General Services Administration (GSA)—owns or leases 8,681 assets, maintains an inventory of more than 370 million square feet of workspace for 1.1 million federal employees, and preserves more than 500 historic properties. For several years, GSA has been in the…
EPA’s Method 21, entitled “Determination Of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks,” calls for a portable instrument to be used for this purpose, and details certain specifications and calibration requirements. “Volatile Organic Compounds,” better known as VOC’s, have been defined by EPA to mean: “[A]ny compound of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides…
While guidelines may exist that mandate monitoring of an area for any number of toxic compounds, no official government recommendations are made as to the detailed design of such a monitoring system. In practice, the design of a toxic gas area monitoring system results from a collaboration between the end-user, consultant (if any), monitoring system…
With the advent, in 2005, of a practical ozone-based sterilizer by TSO3, Inc. (Model 125L), and its subsequent installation into sterile processing facilities, ChemDAQ added ozone monitoring to its product line. Need we mention that Interscan has offered ozone monitoring instruments for years? However, is it really necessary to monitor ozone in a sterile processing…
There are two classic aspects of toxic gas detection— a) Monitoring normal employee exposure, to determine if regulatory levels have been exceeded in the long-term b) Monitoring to warn of hazardous levels that might occur in the short term Of course, both of these functions can be handled with the same monitoring system, as long…
Background Gas detection instruments must often be used or installed in areas considered to be “hazardous locations.” Generically, all sorts of hazards might be recognized in a particular environment, but the term “hazardous locations,” as it applies to electrically-operated equipment refers to provisions established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and various other organizations.…