Strategy to assess exposure of laboratory personnel to select OSHA-regulated chemicals at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the exposure level of personnel engaged in research activities at Massachusetts Institute of Technology laboratories that utilized the following five chemicals regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): benzene, formaldehyde, chloroform, methylene chloride, and arsenic compounds. We describe the process used to select the laboratories to monitor and present the test results of the exposure assessment. Hazardous waste manifests were used to identify 88 laboratories that used these chemicals of 2200 laboratories. Of the 88 laboratories, we collected detailed information on use on the basis of the quantity of the chemicals disposed and the type of laboratory for 27 laboratories. On the basis of the survey findings, eight laboratories were selected for monitoring because of frequency of use of the chemicals. Both personal and area samples were taken. Standard National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health air sampling and analytical techniques were used. With one exception, the results showed the exposure levels were well below the OSHA permissable exposure levels and recommended American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit values. Therefore, we conclude that for typical laboratory activities, exposure levels should be well below the relevant threshold limit values if engineering controls are working properly and if proper procedures are followed.