Blog
Exposure Badges Do Not Provide Adequate Protection Against Toxic Gases
2012-07-06 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
The primary drawback of impingers and badges is that they do not provide any warning of what the worker is currently being exposed to, but only report what he or she has already been exposed to.
Response to Low ppm Readings on a Hydrogen Peroxide Monitor
2012-08-16 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
ACGIH has issued a threshold limit value for hydrogen peroxide of 1 ppm calculated as an 8 hour TWA. Worker exposure may exceed 3 ppm for no more than 30 minutes during the work day and under no circumstances should they exceed 5 ppm.
Gas Stratification is Not Relevant to Gas Monitor Placement
2012-09-07 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
In well ventilated areas, gas stratification is irrelevant. Analysis shows for stratification to occur it requires a column of static air several kilometers high to have a major impact; and so stratification will not be relevant to most occupational safety gas monitoring applications.
Requirement to Monitor for Hydrogen Peroxide
2012-09-11 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
No regulation from OSHA explicitly saying that hydrogen peroxide must be monitored, but employers are bound by law to keep their employees safe. The best way to do that is by having continuous monitoring to ensure your employees' safety.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide Monitors to Measure Peracetic Acid Vapor
2012-09-14 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
Employers seeking to protect their workers would rely on detecting only the hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid components, but this approach is flawed in that PAA vapor is more hazardous that either of the other two vapors and in mixtures with a high PAA content, it is the dominant vapor present.
LEL and Other Combustible Gas Concentration Units
2012-09-21 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
A true concentration is the amount of gas present per unit volume and many gas concentrations are given in units of mg/m3. While this unit is best, and is widely used it is more common to use relative units such as parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb).
The ECHA is a Valuable Source of Chemical Safety Information
2012-10-02 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
Thanks to the EU REACH Program, manufacturers and importers are required to gather information, including safety information, on the chemicals they manufacture, and to provide it to the ECHA which in turn provides public access to this information via an online searchable database
"We Don’t Use Hydrogen Peroxide, We Have a Sterrad® Plasma Sterilizer"
2012-11-15 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
The Sterrad sterilizers function by reducing the pressure, introducing hydrogen peroxide vapor then the sterilizers activates its radio frequency coils to convert the hydrogen peroxide vapor into a plasma which eliminates residual hydrogen peroxide.
Why Don’t More Companies offer a Hydrogen Peroxide Monitor?
2012-11-27 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
Hydrogen peroxide is a widely used chemical but many gas detection companies operating the United States do not offer a sensor for it due to how difficult it is to calibrate.
Peracetic Acid: Parts Per Million in Water and in Air
2013-02-06 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
For liquid ppm, the pm is just a fractional weight, similar to a percentage (parts per hundred) while for gas or vapor, ppm is still parts per million, but now it is parts per million by volume.
Protective Action Criteria – Emergency Exposure Limits
2013-07-02 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
The main difference between the AEGLs and the ERPGs is the ERPGs are based on a one hour exposure, whereas the AEGLs are calculated for exposures from 10 minutes to 8 hours.
OSHA uses General Duty Clause to Work Around Obsolete PELs
2013-11-21 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
OSHA inspected a fiber glass factory and issued a fine for exposing workers to high levels of styrene—even though OSHA determined that styrene exposure at the factory was below OSHA’s Permissible exposure limit (PEL) for styrene- under the General Duty Clause.
What do you mean by ppm Peracetic Acid?
2014-01-07 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
Peracetic acid is typically used in solution at ppm concentrations and the vapor exposure risk to workers is expressed at ppm vapor; however the two ppms are not the same.
Combustible and Toxic Gas Sensors for Ethylene Oxide
2014-01-13 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
EtO is one of the best gas sterilants available, but its carcinogenic and toxic properties make is dangerous to use, making workplaces that use it need continuous monitoring. Luckily, ChemDAQ has the solution.
The Legal Significance of the New ACGIH TLV for Peracetic Acid
2014-02-27 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
The ACGIH has recently set a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for peracetic acid (PAA) of 0.4 ppm, calculated as a 15 minute time weighted average (TWA). This article discusses the legal significance of a TLV compared to an OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).
Information on Respirators for Peracetic Acid
2014-04-23 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
We are sometimes asked about the appropriate respirator to use with peracetic acid and so here is some information for some of the leading brands.
NIOSH Says USDA Does Not Consider Safety When approving Chemicals
2015-05-23 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
Most workers and plant managers may reasonably assume that these antimicrobial chemicals have been thoroughly tested before receiving USDA approval. This statement is true for efficacy but not for worker safety.
Global Burden of Occupational Injury and Illness
2014-06-03 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
Workplace safety is a global issue and huge cost on the world economy. However investing in safety produces both a financial benefit as well as a social benefit.
OSHA Uses General Duty Clause to Prosecute Chemical Exposure instead of PEL
2014-08-20 20:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
OSHA used the General Duty Clause to prosecute Fiberdome Inc, for exposing workers to excessive concentrations of styrene, even though there is an OSHA PEL for this compound.
Improving Worker Safety Improves Patient Safety
2015-01-14 21:15:48 In
ChemDAQ Blog
Historically, Hospitals put patient well-being ahead of worker safety with the result that non-fatal injury rates in US healthcare are among the highest of any industry. The industry must take steps towards increasing both the safety of patients and staff.