Workplace Air Testing and Monitoring to Prevent Exposure to Hazardous Substances

In October, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a national dialogue on hazardous chemical exposures and permissible exposure limits (PELs) in the workplace.  The announcement came one month before a tragic incident exposed four workers at a chemical refinery in Texas to methyl mercaptan, a hazardous gas that took their lives.
 
The incident in Texas brought to the forefront the need to protect all workers from any type of exposure to hazardous chemicals.  While sudden tragic incidents like the gas exposure in Texas may not happen every day, many workers are exposed to low levels of hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. 
 
OSHA announced it intends to update current PELs and stated, “OSHA’s PELs, which are regulatory limits on the amount or concentration of a substance in the air, are intended to protect workers against the adverse health effects of exposure to hazardous substances. Ninety-five percent of OSHA’s current PELs, which cover fewer than 500 chemicals, have not been updated since their adoption in 1971. The agency’s current PELs cover only a small fraction of the tens of thousands of chemicals used in commerce, many of which are suspected of being harmful.”
 
One company with extensive experience in helping those in the industrial hygiene and occupational health and safety professions protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals is EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances can result in loss of life, chronic illnesses, increased absenteeism and medical costs, and expensive lawsuits,“ shared Vincent M. Daliessio, CIH, Project Manager at EMSL Analytical, Inc. ”At EMSL, we provide a comprehensive range of industrial hygiene testing services, customer support and also offer testing equipment, sampling supplies and personal protective equipment to help ensure that all work environments are safe for employees, the public and the environment.”
 
To learn more about EMSL’s industrial hygiene testing services, monitoring equipment, sampling supplies and personal protective equipment, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) (856) 303-2503

Contact via E-mail