Identifying and Mitigating Occupational Exposures to Chloroform and Other Chemical Hazards
Clark Seif Clark provides industrial hygiene testing, consulting and training services to protect workers and the public from chemical and biological hazards.
The National Toxicology Program lists chloroform as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen and California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added chloroform to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 back in 1987.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes chloroform (CHCl3) as a colorless liquid that quickly evaporates into a gas. Other common names for chloroform include trichloromethane and methyl trichloride.
Chloroform was once used as an inhaled anesthetic for surgeries; as an extraction solvent for fats, oils, greases and other products; as a dry cleaning spot remover; in fire extinguishers; and as a fumigant. In more recent times, NIOSH reports it is used in some refrigerants, solvents and for chemical manufacturing. It is also released from pulp and paper mills, some hazardous waste sites, chlorinated water and certain landfills.
Examples of workers that could be at risk of chloroform exposure include:
- Workers involved in paper manufacture or recycle industries
- Service employees exposed to some air conditioner refrigerants
- Equipment operators working at sanitary landfills
- Workers employed at water treatment plants
“Workers can be harmed from chloroform exposure since it is toxic if inhaled or swallowed,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “As with other chemical exposures, the level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration and work being done. The National Toxicology Program lists chloroform as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen and California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added chloroform to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 back in 1987. In addition to cancer concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency reports acute inhalation exposure to chloroform can cause central nervous system depression and chronic exposure has resulted in effects on the liver and central nervous system.”
Dedicated to protecting workers from these types of chemical hazards, and to help keep companies in regulatory compliance, are the industrial hygiene and environmental experts at CSC. They offer testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to help eliminate or mitigate exposures to chloroform and many other potential hazards. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about chloroform and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/D0IyJlbTOO0
To learn more about this or other occupational, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.
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Chloroform- Contact Information
- Paul Cochrane
- President
- Cochrane & Associates, LLC
- Contact via E-mail
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