PERSONAL SAMPLING

 

 

 

PASSIVE SAMPLING BADGES
FOR PERSONAL SAMPLING

  
 

Dust and Fume Exposure Analysis

Individuals often follow work patterns that expose them to dust & fume emissions not covered by extraction at the source.  The risks to health from exposure to such emissions are often under-estimated and can pose a serious threat to many employees.

The effects of exposure can vary from minor skin irritation to occupational asthma and cancer. The chronic effects of dust in the lungs are usually permanent and disabling.

Such emissions include:

  • Emptying dust extraction waste bags or bins

  • Using hand tools

  • Mixing or spraying paints/ varnishes

Legislation has established mandatory maximum permissible levels for exposure to such emissions. This is documented in HSE publicaton EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits

  
   


 

  
 

Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs)

WELs are occupational exposure limits set under COSHH and are measured in particle concentration averaged over a specified period of time - a time-weighted average (TWA). They are specified for two different situations:

  • Long-term exposure - 8 hours

  • Short-term exposure - 15 minutes

The list of approved exposure limits in the EH40 publication also specifies the risks associated with each substance

Some common examples:

 

  
 
 Substance WEL

Comments (Risks)
Long-term
8hr TWA

 Dust mg-m³

Short-term
15 min.  TWA

 Dust mg-m³

 Softwood & Hardwood dust

5.00

-

  Carc,Sen, under review

 Rosin-based Solder Flux  Fume

0.05

0.15

  Sen

 Silica, respirable crystalline

0.03

-

  Under review

 Lead (in air)

0.15

-

  CLAW Regulations

 Chromium (VI)

0.05

-

  Carc, Sen, BMGV

 Formaldehyde

2.50

-

  R23/24/25, 34, 40, 43

 Aluminium metal inhalable

10.00

-

  R14, 17, 34
 
  TWA: Time Weighted Average  
  Respirable Dust: Small particles of dust that penetrate deep in to the lungs and can settle in the lining.  
    Larger particles of dust which can have detrimental effects on the upper respiratory tract, throat, nose and mouth.  
 

 

    
  DUST : An aerosol of solid particles with diameters of 0.1 µm upwards.  
  FUME : An aerosol of solid particles generated by condensation from the vapour state as in the volatilisation of molten metals. A range of particle sizes are present but they are typically < 1 µm.  
 

TO ARRANGE AN LEV/ COSHH TEST

FREEPHONE THE COSHH COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT ON 0800 435402