Worker/Ambient Air Monitoring

KTA Industrial Hygiene Technicians work under the direction of a KTA Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) to conduct worker air monitoring for lead or other toxic metals (i.e., arsenic, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and/or total dust) during exposure producing activities. Air samples are typically collected during one 8-hour site visit (preferably on the first full day of activities) and on workers representative of each job classification with likely airborne exposures.

Worker air sampling is performed to evaluate employee exposure levels relative to occupational exposure limits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are several comprehensive health standards which require worker air sampling where there is potential exposure to toxic metals. For example, worker air monitoring is required by the OSHA Lead in Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.62) to initially determine if any employee is exposed to lead at or above the OSHA Action Level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) and Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3. The Action Level and PEL for lead are based on an eight hour Time Weighted Average (TWA).

In addition to sampling results, KTA provides reports which summarize the results of worker air monitoring, observations of work practices, engineering controls, and use of personal protective equipment, and, as necessary, address recommendations for compliance with applicable OSHA regulations.

KTA also provides high volume ambient air monitoring, including monitor rental and sample analysis. Ambient air monitoring during abrasive blast cleaning operations is accomplished using high volume air samplers equipped with PM-10 or TSP heads. The filters are analyzed in accordance with 40 CFR 50 by KTA’s NYSDOH accredited analytical laboratory, and the results are evaluated for compliance using project-specific criteria. Such services are typically performed to confirm the adequacy of containment systems to reduce emissions from abrasive blasting operations.

KTA has demonstrated such services on the following representative projects: