Airborne hazards from gases, vapours, dust and fibres can be blind to the naked eye or not very obvious however, can cause life-threatening illnesses that can affect the lungs, kidneys and liver. According to HSE statistics 12,000 lung disease deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposures at work. (Health and safety at work Summary statistics for Great Britain 2022).
Your personal safety and the safety of your team is paramount when it comes to working in a laboratory. When working with equipment and chemicals, the air can quickly become contaminated with gases and vapours that can be harmful when you are working in these environments and inhaling the contaminated air for long hours.
Sampling personal or area air quality for the specific contaminant and exposure levels is important to determine the appropriate respirator and cartridge for your work environment. By consistently measuring the concentration of airborne contaminants, you can take the correct steps to reduce workers’ exposure and thereby help prevent chronic respiratory diseases.
Therefore, it is important that your laboratory managers employ Respiratory Protection Programmes, that comply with HSE standards and monitor exposure levels within the defined Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs). The programme should highlight what substances are being monitored, who you want to know the exposure levels for, the number of samples taken and when and how often will samples be taken.
This can be carried out with the use of air quality monitors to learn how safe the air is you are inhaling. Air monitoring badges are the perfect example of an easy-to-use system that allows you to monitor your surroundings.
Sampling solution
Vaportest Badges are lightweight air monitoring badges that are easy to attach and can be worn on your lab coat during your shift. They are made from a plastic housing that contains a permeable, absorbent membrane which collects a sample of contaminants through the scientific principle of diffusion. Our badges test for either Formaldehyde, Xylene, Ethylene Oxide and THG, MIBK and MEK.
Please note: Caution must be applied when measuring formaldehyde from solutions containing methanol using passive samplers because of possible underestimation of airborne concentrations. Please contact us for further information
For more information, speak to a member of our team at labsupplies@solmedialtd.com or call +44 (0) 844 8080 900.