ASSEN analytical services for various solvents and organic compounds used in workplaces including health-care facilities to evaluate employee exposures. Our analytical approach in this area is 2-fold:

1. If the organic compounds responsible for workplace exposure is known, target compound analysis can be perform to determine their compliance to the exposure guidelines such as ACGIH TLVs, OSHA PELs or NIOSH RELs etc. All of our laboratory analyses are performed in accordance to standard methods such as:

The following are some of the industrial hygiene analyses we conduct:

Please refer to our Sampling Guide for Individual Compounds for the analytical method used for each individual compound.

2. In the case that no information is available to understand the airborne organic exposure, CASSEN provides an analytical tool using thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry that reveals the airborne organics that cause workplace exposure problem. Traditional IH surveys have focused on sampling for chemicals used in the industrial workplaces often missing hazardous compounds due to missing information on MSDS’, wrong MSDS’ in use, unannounced changes to product specifications, or thermal degradation or reaction byproducts from high temperature processes. The new a broader picture of the workplace air is necessary before the design of any sampling strategies. This, when combined with the information obtained from the MSDS and the processes used in the plant, can provide a more complete picture of chemical exposure. A pre-screening approach will also help the employers to reduce unnecessary cost by focusing on the problem at the very beginning. This new approach to industrial hygiene monitoring is also in line with the safe worker environment legal responsibilities.

“Do You Know What is in Your Workplace Air” a brochure describing our service in this area.

For multiple compound analysis, we provide various types of passive samplers for analysis using gas chromatography, liquid chromatography or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Theses analyses provide high sensitivity with accurate identification and quantification of volatile organic compounds for the assessment of personal exposure. An extended list of target VOCs is available.

CASSEN offers a wide range of analytical services to support industrial hygiene monitoring and evaluations. We also conduct method development to provide methods that are currently unavailable.

Biological Monitoring
Volatile organics are used frequently in workplaces and many of them are highly toxic. Their pathway of exposure includes inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion. Biological monitoring is therefore a useful tool in assessing total body uptake as it encompasses all routes of exposure. Unfortunately, the use of a conventional biological matrix such as blood frequently entails an invasive procedure to collect the biological material requiring the assistance of medical staff. Other disadvantages are:

CASSEN offers a novel approach of biological monitoring using breath samples using current advances in instrumentation and techniques for VOC analysis. The breath sampling approach has been extensively investigated by CASSEN through a multi-year research project with the Department of National Defence. The use of breath samples has demonstrated to be a reliable and accurate method of attaining measurements in comparison with blood or urine. As well, breath samples clearly have the advantage of being a non-invasive procedure that can be easily collected at any time when required. In addition, our ultra sensitive analysis applied to breath samples, using Automated Thermal Desorption/Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry allows detection at the parts per billion levels, which is appropriate for this type of samples.

This service will be highly useful for any workplace medical surveillance program. Samples can be collected on site after exposure, or after the shift, without the need for medical professionals. The ability of this analysis to provide total solvent exposure information will be invaluable to employers who want to protect the occupational health of the workers. Without the need of a medical personal for sample collection, the cost of analysis would be very comparable with the conventional analysis. The new bio-monitoring method will encourage the participation of workers in the program and therefore prevent sickness before it occurs.

At CASSEN, our expertise in VOCs biological monitoring through breath sampling and data analysis will be at your service, easing the understanding of the pollutants affecting your workplace.

A partial list of our specialty Biological Monitoring compound is shown below:

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