What we sample and how:
The airborne substances, particulate, fumes, and gases including but are not limited to the following:
1. Asbestos/SMF
2. Benzene
3. Air Systems for Breathing:
* Carbon Dioxide, * Carbon Monoxide, * Oil, and * Water Vapor
4. Total Hydrocarbons
5. Toluene
6. Hexane
7. Hydrogen Fluoride
8. Hydrogen Sulphide
9. Organic Lead
10. Inorganic Lead
11. Lighting
12. Noise
13. Metal Fume
14. Combustion Gases
15. Mercury Vapor
16. Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons
17. Non-ionizing Radiation
Benzene:
Work tasks when Benzene and Hydrocarbons have a higher than normal probability of being present included barge gauging (wharves), and sampling steam and venting vessels and lines (all facilities). Specific areas where Benzene may also be present during a work tasks include:
• The vicinity of petrol tanks that are being cleaned and ventilated.
• The vicinity of crude, or intermediate storage tanks that have been emptied and ventilated but not yet cleaned.
• The vicinity of the separators e.g. waste water treatment.
Other situation when Benzene and Hydrocarbon monitoring is required from a hygiene perspective includes during the clean up of gasoline spills and unknown releases.
Knowing where to sample requires an understanding of industrial processes and the chemistry.