LCS Laboratory Inc., offers air sampling equipment, sampling media, and the laboratory analysis of metal dust in air.
Concentration of metals in workplace air is strictly regulated in Canada. Occupational exposure limits can be as low as 0.00005 mg/m3 for more toxic metals like Beryllium- to 2-5 mg/m3 for less toxic metals. One of the most common source of metal dust is welding operations. Based on our observations about 30% of all welding fume samples exceed occupational exposure limits for iron oxide and manganese. Other potential sources of worker’s exposure are the grinding of metal parts, mining industries, construction and demolition projects.
When you collect samples of metal dust, you need to employ different techniques to target different fractions of dust and different metals. For example:
- Aluminum, Iron, and Zinc should be collected as respirable dust by NIOSH 0600 and analysed by NIOSH 7301 procedure
- Nickel and Vanadium are collected as an Inhalable Fraction and then are tested for individual metals
- Elemental Mercury is collected as a vapour, and mercury oxides and salts are collected as Total Particulates
With more than 15 years of experience in Industrial Hygiene and metal sampling we can offer you the most effective and economical way to evaluate your workers exposure to metal dust and fumes. Please email us to discuss your project.
